Chinese Symbolism
The various images found
on Asian works of art possess a long history. Many incorporate legend and
mythology to enhance the character of a piece or even to tell a story.
Most often the imagery revolves around positive elements such as wishes
for good fortune and longevity. The Chinese believe that if you surround
yourself with lucky objects and images, you will increase you happiness
and prosperity. The following is an abbreviated list of some animals, characters,
insects and plants most frequently seen in Chinese art, along with their
meanings.
BAMBOO
Bamboo represents longevity
and, along with pine tress and cherry trees, is one of the "Three Friends
of Winter."
BAT
The bat represents good
fortune. When it is depicted upside down it means good fortune has arrived.
The Wu Foo, or Five Bats of Happiness, stands for the five blessings: long
life, riches, health, love and a natural death.
BUTTERFLY
A lone butterfly represents
love – specifically young love. A butterfly accompanied by plum blossoms
symbolizes long life and beauty.
CARP
Carp ( koi) are symbols
of endurance, perseverance and fortitude. It is said that carp can jump
completely over the rapids of the Yellow River, leaving the other fish
behind. These fish therefore, are often associated with businessmen getting
ahead of their competitors, or scholars gaining higher examination scores
than their peers.
CHRYSANTHEMUM
The chrysanthemum represents
joviality as well as long life. In addition, it symbolizes autumn and together
with the plum (winter), peony (spring), and lotus (summer), signifies the
four seasons.
CRANE
The crane represents longevity
and extraordinary wisdom. Cranes are the flying steeds of the immortals,
and they are also believed to carry the souls of the dead to the Western
Heaven.
DEER
The deer is the only animal
able to find the sacred fungus of immortality and, therefore, represents
long life.
DOUBLE HAPPINESS
The double happiness character
is the traditional and classic symbol of marital bliss.
DRAGON
The dragon is the imperial
emblem of the Emperors from the Han Dynasty. They symbolize power and excellence,
valency and boldness, heroism and perseverance, nobility and divinity.
A dragon overcomes obstacles until success is his. They are energetic,
decisive, optimistic, intelligent and ambitious.
DUCK
The duck is a symbol of
fidelity. Pairs of Mandarin ducks swimming amongst water weeds were a particularly
favored design on 14th century blue-and-white Chinese porcelain.
LION
Also known as "Foo Dogs,"
lions are protectors and symbols of superhuman strength. They are also
the vehicles of holy beings and emblems of valor and energy. Foo dogs are
most often depicted in pairs: a male with his paw on a brocaded ball and
a female with a small cub at her feet.
LOTUS
The Lotus is a symbol of
purity and perfection. It also represents summer and fruitfulness.
PEACH
The peach is said to have
given immortality to the Immortals and was the elixir of life for the Taoists.
It is also a symbol for marriage and spring.
PEONY
The peony is the king of
flowers. It is a sign of good fortune and a symbol of love, affection,
and feminine beauty.
PHOENIX
The phoenix represents the
Empress, as well as beauty, and appears only in times of peace and prosperity.
It is a symbol of heaven's favor, virtue and grace, luck and happiness.
Along with the tiger, dragon, and turtle, it is worshipped as one of four
spiritually endowed and sacred creatures presiding over China's destiny.
SHOU
The shou is the character
for longevity and is one of the most frequently seen symbols in Chinese
art.
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