Chinese symbols
Symbols traditionally play a particularly strong rolein Chinese culture .
General
The characters have already developed in part from symbols for the object represented, so-called pictograms : For example, the character Shān ( 山 , "mountain") indicates a mountain silhouette with three mountain peaks. Another example are the diagrams and hexagrams of the I-Ching , the Book of Changes, each consisting of three or six continuous or broken lines .
Chinese symbols in the narrower sense are understood to mean the picture symbols, i.e. objects that stand for certain abstract properties or states, and more rarely for people or objects.
Type of use
Pictorial symbols of the latter type are traditionally used in art , especially in poetry and painting , but also in practical art - for example as decorations on vases , lacquer boxes or Ruyi sceptres , and more recently also as tattoos . Symbols are often combined with each other like words, either to reinforce the meaning of individual symbols or even to make more differentiated statements through their interaction.
Reasons for using
One of the key principles of the Chinese culture belongs indirect communication . For various reasons it is often considered improper to communicate a concern directly to the addressee. This can lead to disturbances of harmony or even loss of face for the addressee and / or the communicator. Particularly in the context of the hierarchy that is omnipresent in Confucian society , criticism or even suggestions, wishes and opinions cannot be openly presented without this resulting in severe sanctions. Furthermore, because of the previously widespread illiteracy , the positions within the hierarchy themselves require meaningful and generally understandable expression. Erotic and sexual topics are also subject to multiple restrictions and taboos. For all of these purposes, the Chinese have always used a variety of symbols.
Relationship between symbol and meaning
Objects that have this property themselves are usually used as symbols for properties: longevity stands for u. a. the pine, because these conifers often reach a great age and can survive on poor soil even under inhospitable conditions. Mandarin ducks are a symbol of marital fidelity, as these water birds are known for their monogamous way of life.
Symbols for people or objects, on the other hand, often resemble them in form and shape or share certain properties with them. For example, the various bird symbols for the individual ranks of officials reflect exactly the hierarchy, starting with the crane and golden pheasant and ending with the "flycatcher". Jade flute and peony traditionally represent the male and female sexual organs.
In other cases, the link between symbol and meaning is based on sagas, myths or literary works. Magpies are considered to bring joy, for example, because in the myth of the weaver and the cowherd they form a bridge over the Milky Way on the 7th day of the month and thus enable the separated lovers to come together.
Finally, the relationship between symbol and meaning can also consist of pure sound equality or similarity. For example with fish ( 鱼 yú ), which is traditionally associated with affluence and abundance ( 裕 yù ) due to the similarity of the word's sounds .
Common symbols
plants
- Maple (楓 / 枫 fēng, long / short characters) - office dignity
- Apple (蘋 / 苹 píng) - spring, household
- Apricot (杏 xìng) - Beautiful woman, desire to have children
- Bamboo (竹 zhú) - integrity, steadfastness, humility, old age, winter; one of the three friends of winter
- Pear (梨 lí) - Long life, but also separation
- Boxwood (黃楊/黄杨huángyáng) - Long life
- Chrysanthemum (菊 jú) - autumn, ninth lunar month, long life
- Bottle gourd (葫蘆 / 葫芦 húlú) - heaven and earth, in Daoism symbol for the macro and microcosm; Attribute of the immortal Li Tiekuai
- Pomegranate (石榴 shíliú) - fertility, abundance of children
- Hibiscus (槿 qín) - fame, fortune, splendor; sexual attraction of a girl
- Kiefer (松 sōng) - long life, constancy, self-discipline, more rarely: marital happiness; one of the three friends of winter
- Lily (百合 bǎihé) - forgetting of worries; Birth of a son
- Lotus (蓮 / 莲 lián) - purity, unity, fertility; red lotus flower : vagina; Symbol for Buddhism ; there one of the eight Buddhist treasures as well as a symbol for the passage of time (with the individual phases fruit, blossom and stem); in Daoism : attribute of the Daoist immortal He Xiangu
- Magnolia (木蓮 / 木莲 mùlián) - beautiful girl
- Daffodil (水仙 shuǐxiān) - happiness, new year
- Orange (橙 chéng) - happiness, filial piety; Bitter orange : fate
- Orchid (蘭 / 兰 lán) - love, beauty, young girl; Orchids in the vase : harmony
- Peony (牡丹 mǔdān) - nobility, wealth; Vagina; white peony: beautiful and smart young girl
- Peach (桃 táo) - immortality with the gods, longevity with people (cf. Xiwangmu ); different sexual meanings
- Plum (梅 méi) - happiness, new life, renewal, transience; Untouched, virgin girl, sexual joys, winter; one of the Three Friends of Winter ; Second plum blossom : remarriage or new cohabitation on the same night; Willow-plum disease : syphilis
- Mushroom (菇 gū) - long life, immortality
- Rose (薔薇 / 蔷薇 qiángwēi) - weak symbolism; occasionally for youth, never for love
- Yarrow (蓍 草 / 蓍 草 shīcǎo) - twigs were used as oracle sticks (筮 shì is oracle with yarrow), scholar
- Willow (柳 liǔ) - spring, sexual desire, pleasure girl
- Cinnamon tree (桂 guì) - autumn, longevity, immortality
- Onion (葱 cōng) - wisdom, birth of a son
- Cypress (柏 bǎi) - long life, abundance of children
Animals
- Eagle (鷹 / 鹰 yīng) - strength
- Monkey (猴 hóu) - temperament, indecentiveness (cf. The Journey to the West ); 9th beast in the Chinese zodiac
- Bear (熊 xióng) - bravery, strength, birth of a son; Symbol for the constellation of the "Bushel" ( Big Dipper ); in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 5th officer rank
- Dragon (龍 / 龙 lóng) - power, strength, divine protection, symbol for the emperor, the East, the rain, the power of procreation, the masculine (Yang); one of the four wonder animals ; 5th beast in the Chinese zodiac,
- Unicorn - see Qilin
- Kingfisher (翡翠 fěicuì) - woman's beauty
- Elephant (象 xiàng) - wisdom, strength, gratitude, shame
- Magpie (鵲 / 鹊 qué) - joy, marital happiness
- Duck (鸭 yā) - East China: homosexuality; Northeast China: penis; in Buddhism : suppression of evil; Mandarin duck : conjugal fidelity; in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 7th rank of civil servant
- Donkey (驢 / 驴 lǘ) - stupidity, simplicity; Simplicity; Symbol for the Daoist immortal Zhang Guolao
- Owl (鴞 / 鸮 xiāo) - calamity
- Pheasant (野雞 / 野鸡 yějī) - misfortune (sometimes the lack of a pheasant call stands for it); Seduction; in the Qing dynasty symbol for the 2nd and 5th civil civil servant rank (gold or silver pheasant)
- Fish (魚 / 鱼 yú) - abundance, wealth, prosperity, perseverance, tenacity; Eel: penis
- Bat (蝙蝠 biānfú) - luck; five bats: five bliss (health, longevity, wealth, virtue and a quick natural death)
- Flycatcher (鶲 / 鹟 wēng) - in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 9th (and thus lowest) civil civil servant rank
- Fox (狐 hú) - cunning, sensuality, seduction, venereal diseases, demonia (cf. fox spirit )
- Goose (鵝 / 鹅 é) - marital happiness; Wild goose : in the Qing Dynasty, symbol of the 4th civil civil servant rank
- Glowworm (螢 / 萤 yíng) - beauty, perseverance, passed exam
- Rooster (公雞 / 公鸡 gōngjī) - exorcism; Pride, fame, official; 10. Beast in the Chinese zodiac
- Rabbit (兔 tù) - 4th beast in the Chinese zodiac; Various sexual disorders icon
- Hirsch (鹿 lù) - wealth, longevity
- Dog (狗 gǒu) - west, autumn, wealth, exorcism (dog blood exposes demons), 11th animal in the Chinese zodiac
- Carp (鯉 lǐ) - financial success, passed exam
- Crane (鶴 / 鹤 hè) - long life, old age, wisdom, relationship between father and son; in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 1st civil civil servant rank
- Toad (frog) (蛤蟆 háma) - long life, unattainable desires, invulnerability; one of the five poisonous animals
- Leopard (panther) (豹 bào) - cruelty, ferocity; in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 3rd officer rank
- Leo (獅 / 狮 shī) - protection, especially for state and government; in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 2nd officer rank
- Rhinoceros (犀 xī) - symbol of the 7th and 8th officer rank in the Qing Dynasty
- Parrot (鸚 / 鹦 yīng) - girl, joy girl
- Peacock (孔雀 kǒngquè) - dignity, beauty; in the Qing Dynasty, symbol for the 2nd rank of civil servant
- Horse (馬 / 马 mǎ) - weakly developed symbolism; sometimes a symbol for women, for indecency, for the rank of civil servant; 7th beast in the Chinese zodiac
- Phoenix (鳳凰 fènghuáng) - happiness, the feminine (yin), symbol for the empress, less often for the south, different sexual meanings; one of the four wonder animals
- Golden Oriole (鶯 / 莺 yīng) - joy, friendship, music; Joy girl
- Qilin (often mistakenly called unicorn ) (麒麟 qílín) - happiness, blessings of children, peace and goodness; one of the four wonder animals ; in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the first officer rank
- Raven (烏鴉 / 乌鸦 wūyā) - misfortune, death
- Rat (mouse) (鼠 shǔ) - wealth, avarice, demony; 1st beast in the Chinese zodiac
- Heron (鷺 / 鹭 lù) - symbol for the right way; in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 6th rank of civil servant
- Cattle (牛 niú) - spring, farm labor, fertility; 2nd beast in the Chinese zodiac
- Sheep (羊 yáng) - filial piety , 8th beast in the Chinese zodiac
- Turtle (龜 / 龟 guī) - long life, constancy, immutability, cosmic mystery; one of the four wonder animals ; but also: shamelessness, penis, pimp, brothel owner, father of a whore, etc. a. 龜甲 / 龟甲 (guījiǎ) or just 甲 was used as an oracle bone in ancient China.
- Snake (蛇 shé) - cunning, malice, deceit; 6th animal in the Chinese zodiac, one of the five poisonous animals
- Butterflies (蝴蝶 húdié) - being in love
- Swallow (燕 yàn) - spring, success, happiness, blessing of children
- Pig (猪 zhū) - virility; 12. Beast in the Chinese zodiac
- Seahorse (海馬 / 海马 hǎimǎ) - in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 9th (and thus lowest) officer rank
- Scorpio (蝎 xiē) - One of the five poisonous animals
- Spider (蜘蛛 zhīzhū) - luck, arrival of a welcome guest; but also one of the five poisonous animals
- Dove (鴿 / 鸽 gē) - loyalty, longevity
- Millipede (蜈蚣 wúgōng) - One of the five poisonous animals
- Tiger (虎 hǔ) - courage, bravery, exorcism; 3rd beast in the Chinese zodiac; in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 4th officer rank ( young tiger : 6th officer rank); as a white tiger, he stands for west and autumn
- Quail (鵪鶉 / 鹌鹑 ānchún) - courage; in the Qing Dynasty symbol for the 8th rank of civil servant
- Wolf (狼 láng) - cruelty, gluttony, greed
Natural phenomena, elements
- Donner (雷 léi) - anger, but also laughter from heaven
- Ice cream (冰 bīng) - filial piety; cracked ice : marital joys at an advanced age; Eismann : marriage broker
- Iron (鐵 / 铁 tiě) - strength, justice; Eisenbaum : long life, 60-year cycle
- Fire (火 huǒ) - south, day, masculinity (yang)
- Moon (月 yuè) - west, femininity (yin), autumn, dying, execution
- Rauch (煙 / 烟 yān) - impermanence
- Rain (雨 yǔ) - fertility, procreation, sperm
- Rainbow (彩虹 cǎihóng) - union of yin and yang , marriage
- Shadow (影 yǐng) - symbol for one's own soul ( mythological shadow )
- Snow (雪 xuě) - old age
- Sun (日 rì) - east, masculinity (yang), spring, birth, symbol of the emperor
- Dust (塵 / 尘 chén) - transience (cf. Daoism : "The world of dust")
- Dew (露 lù) - fertility, procreation, sperm; princely charity
- Water (水 shuǐ) - north, night, femininity (yin), softness, indulgence
- Wind (風 / 风 fēng) - rumor, jealousy, sexual activity
- Cloud (雲 / 云 yún) - happiness, peace, west, union of yin and yang ; Clouds and rain : sexual union
Objects
- Ax (斧 fǔ) - Imperial power, mediation
- Ball (球 qiú) - rain, fertility (according to traditional folk belief, dragons generate rain by playing with a ball)
- Broom (帚 zhǒu) - wisdom, insight
- Boot (船 chuán) - succession of generations
- Bridge (橋 / 桥 qiáo) - connection between this world and the hereafter, between two lovers
- Brunnen (井 jǐng) - Young woman, vagina
- Book (書 / 书 shū) - scholar, erudition
- Rifle (盒hé) - Eintracht
- Tripod (鼎 dǐng) - luck, symbol for the three highest dignitaries after the emperor
- Vinegar (醋 cù) - jealousy
- Subjects (扇 shàn) - official rank; Attribute of the Daoist immortal Zhongli Quan
- Flute (笛 dí) - symbol for the penis, oral sex, fellatio ; further attribute of the Daoist immortals Lan Caihe or Han Xiangzi
- Bell (鐘 / 钟 zhōng) - luck, passed exam
- Belt (带 dài) - officialdom; Exchange of belts : marriage
- Halberd (戟 jǐ) - luck, passed exam
- Honey (蜜 mì) - happiness, cohabitation
- Hat (冠 guān) - official
- Island (島 / 岛 dǎo) - longevity, immortality (see the islands of immortals in the East China Sea off the coast of Shandong )
- Jade (玉 yù) - purity; different sexual meanings
- Basket (籃 / 篮 lán) - wealth; Attribute of the Immortal Lan Caihe
- Lantern (灯 dēng) - fertility, blessing of children; in Buddhism : enlightenment
- Spoon (匙 chí) - penis
- Pearl (珠 zhū) - purity, preciousness
- Mouth organ (笙 shēng) - advancement in rank
- Nagel (釘 / 钉 dīng) - defense against diseases (especially the decorative nails on building gates)
- Brush (筆 / 笔 bǐ) - scholar
- Wheel (輪 / 轮 lún) - durability, constancy; in Buddhism : cycle of rebirths
- Ring (环 huán) - permanence, persistence, return
- Umbrella (伞 sǎn) - dignity, purity, official
- Schuh (鞋 xié) - unity, harmony
- Sulfur (硫 liú) - repellent against poisonous animals and demons
- Sword (刀 dāo) - repellent against demons; Attribute of the immortal Lü Dongbin
- Mirror (鏡 / 镜 jìng) - happiness, marital happiness, birth of a son, official rank; allows seeing ghosts and demons and - in Buddhism - the next form of existence
- Stone (石 shí) - longevity
- Vase (瓶 píng) - peace
- Scepter (如意 rúyì) - fulfillment of all wishes
Colours
- Blue (藍 / 蓝 lán) - laborious and worrying social advancement
- Yellow (黄 huáng) - symbol for the emperor, the earth, the center and China; Fame, progress; but more recently also pornography ("yellow literature", 黃色 電影 , Huángsè diànyǐng - "yellow film")
- Green (綠 / 绿 lǜ) - life, spring, east
- Red (红 hóng) - joy, summer, south, war, community ( CCP flag ), heart
- Black (黑 hēi) - darkness, honor, death, winter, north
- White (白 bái) - old age, autumn, west, deceit, broken white : sadness; Still in use today as a wedding dress color
numbers
See Chinese numbers
literature
- Wolfram Eberhard: Lexicon of Chinese symbols. Munich 1994, ISBN 3-424-00878-8 .
- Josef Guter: Lexicon of the gods and symbols of the ancient Chinese. Marix Verlag, Wiesbaden 2004, ISBN 3-937715-04-5 .
Individual evidence
- ^ Hui-Chih Yu: A Cross-Cultural Analysis of Symbolic Meanings of Color . In: Chang Gung Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences . tape 7 , no. 1 , April 2014, p. 49-74 (English, pdf ).
- ↑ Kirsi Kommonen: Narratives on Chinese color culture in business contexts - The Yin Yang Wu Xing of Chinese values . In: Department of Languages and Communication, (Ed.): Helsingin Kauppakorkeakoulu / Faculty of Economics, University of Helsinki . 2008, ISBN 978-952-488-279-8 , ISSN 1235-5674 (English, PDF ).