![]() ![]() The Elixir of the Immortals 仙丹 xiān dān was also said to contain cinnabar. In China this transformation suggested properties connected to immortality, so some Emperors may have been poisoned by taking cinnabar elixirs (as most mercuric compounds are poisonous). ![]() This is because when heated it gives off hydrogen sulfide and produces shiny, liquid metal - mercury - as if by magic. It has been associated with alchemy and magic in both China and Europe from the earliest times. A picture with children surrounded by peaches and pomegranates symbolizes the wish for many sons.Ĭinnabar 丹砂 dān shā Carved Cinnabar lacquer beads Image by Pschemp ➚ available under a Creative Commons License ➚Ĭinnabar is an orange-red mineral of mercury (mercuric sulfide). A picture may be divided in two, each part having a mother and son, one side has the son holding a lotus flower on the other the son rides a qilin, both symbolize a wish for a son. Hé-hé èr xiān 和 合 二 仙- the Heavenly twins are two boys carrying a box and a lotus to symbolize a wish for peace ‘hé’ 和 (box) and harmony 荷 hé (lotus). In ancient times children's hair was shaved off, leaving a boy with a central tuft over the forehead and a girl with two tufts over the ears. Scholarly or mercantile activity was restricted to men and so a family's dream of riches and continuity could only come about through bearing sons. On the other hand a boy would remain in the family home and have a strong Confucian duty to look after his parents into their old age. In the traditional village context a daughter would soon enough leave to marry someone in another village and would then have very little contact with her birth family (often only at New Year). This apparent misogynistic attitude has to be explained. ![]() However, it must be admitted that traditionally the wish is for boys not girls. The wish for children is a very common motif in paintings, embroidery and porcelain. However a red or purple beard because of from Buddhist representations is considered demonic and this affected Chinese reactions to early European traders when they arrived with ginger hair and beards.Ĭhildren 孩 子 hái zi Two boys, one holding a chime the other a carp on a bamboo stick. On stage and in pictures a beard symbolizes strength and supernatural power. With the Confucian doctrine of reverence for elders a beard represents wisdom and scholarship. A villainous character with white make-up and a long beard Copyright © Dreamstime see image licenseĪlthough long bushy beards are a common sight at the Opera, many Chinese men struggle to grow anything more than a thin, wispy beard. ➚ Beard 胡 子 hú zi China National Peking Opera Company performing the Red Haired Galloping Horse opera at Meilanfang theatre in Beijing, China. Now available as a Kindle eBook for just $3.90. Buying a copy will help support Chinasage. It is a set of sixty topics in A-Z order covering everything from hair to kiwifruit, clapping to rhubarb, eunuchs to dragons. We are proud to announce a printed book all about China based loosely on this web site. From very early times the Chinese knew amber was tree resin as they noticed the insects often trapped inside it. A bright red form - blood amber ( 血珀 xuè pò) - is considered particularly potent and has been used as an aphrodisiac. Amulets, beads and small bowls have been made from amber over the centuries. Therefore Amber has been used in TCM to give the properties of tiger to medicines. There is an ancient belief that the spirit of a tiger goes back into the earth on its death to become amber. Its orange color has led to an association with tigers. Here we cover elements, minerals and natural patterns, here is the full list:Īmber Beard Children Cinnabar Cloud Dew Earth Fire Gall bladder Hair Heart Ice Jade Lacquer Meander Moon Mountain Numbers Pearl Rain Seasons Stone Sun Swastika Tai Ji Thunder Wave WineĪmber, which is solidified pine resin, is most commonly found in Yunnan province. We have separate sections on other natural subjects: animals, flowers & fruit as well as birds. The Chinese Daoist strand of philosophy has always sought a harmonious and respectful relationship with nature rather than exploitation. This group of symbols cover a wide variety of items with some sort of connection to nature. Modern history People's Republic of China Future Leaders Government Space Exploration Economy Long March Republic of China May 4th Movement Symbol index - Birds - Animals - Flowers and Fruit - Colors - Nature- Assorted Symbolism | Nature Nature symbolism in Chinese art Jade carving of Buddhist Goddess of Mercy ( Guanyin) ![]()
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