Chinese symbolism and art motifs : a comprehensive handbook on symbolism in Chinese art through the ages / by C. A. S. Williams ; with an introduction to the new edition by Terence Barrow.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Williams, C. A. S. (Charles Alfred Speed), 1884-

Contributor:

Barrow, Terence, 1923-2001.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Symbolism in art--China.

Symbolism in art.

Folklore--China.

Folklore.

China.

China--Social life and customs.

Manners and customs.

Physical Description:

448 pages : illustrations ; 23 cm

Edition:

Fourth revised edition.

Place of Publication:

Boston, Mass. : Tuttle, 2006.

Summary:

The Eight Immortals, the five elements, the dragon and the phoenix, yin and yang-representations of these important cultural symbols are pervasive in Chinese literature, art, and architecture and without an understanding of their significance, much Chinese history, folklore, and culture cannot be fully appreciated. In this comprehensive handbook, C.A.S. Williams offers concise explanations of these essential symbols and motifs. Arranged alphabetically for easy access, the book not only explains essential cultural symbols, accompanied by their Chinese characters, but also contains many articles on Chinese beliefs, customs, arts and crafts, food, agriculture, and medicine. This fourth revised edition of Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs, first published in Shanghai in 1941, has been completely reset and now uses the Pinyin pronunciation of Chinese names and words. The book has become a standard reference volume for students of China and Chinese culture.

For those who are visiting China, Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs is an indispensable guide to the Middle Kingdom's artistic and architectural wonders. For the general reader, it is a valuable compendium of fascinating sinological lore.

Contents:

Agriculture 33

Alarm-staff 36

Amber 36

Amitabha 37

Amusements 38

Ananda 44

Ancestral Worship 45

Ant 46

Apple 47

Apricot 47

Architecture 48

Astrology 55

Astronomy 58

Axe 58

Azalea 59

Bamboo 60

Bat 61

Bear 62

Beast of Greed 62

Bee 64

Begging-bowl 65

Bell 65

Birds and Beasts 66

Birth 68

Bodhi Tree 70

Bo Gu Tu 71

Brahma 73

Bronze 73

Broom 75

Buddha's Hand 76

Butterfly 76

Cangue 77

Canopy 77

Carpets 77

Castanets 81

Cat 81

Cedrela 83

Chain 83

Charms 83

Cherry 88

Chinaware 88

Chisel-knife 91

Chrysanthemum 91

Cicada 92

Club 93

Coins 94

Colours 98

Compass 101

Conch-shell 104

Conch-shell Trumpet 104

Confucius 104

Convolvulus 107

Coral 107

Costume 107

Cotton 118

Crane 118

Cricket 120

Cross-thunderbolt 120

Crow 120

Crown of Brahma 121

Curios 121

Cycle of Sixty 122

Dagger 126

Da Yu 126

Death 127

Deer 132

Diamond Mace 133

Diaper Patterns 133

Di Zang 138

Dog 139

Donkey 142

Door Gods 142

Dove 144

Dragon 145

Dragon-fly 153

Drama 154

Drum 158

Duck 158

Eight Diagrams 160

Eight Immortals 162

Eight Treasures 168

Eighteen Lohan 170

Elephant 178

Elixir of Life 180

Embroidery 182

Enamelware 183

Falcon 184

Fan 184

Feng Shui 187

Fire 188

Fish 192

Five Elements 194

Five Poisons 195

Five Viscera 197

Flags 197

Flowers 198

Flute 200

Fly-whisk 201

Footprints of Buddha 201

Four Heavenly Kings 202

Four Treasures 205

Fowl 206

Fox 208

Fu Yi 209

Gall-bladder 211

Glow-worm 211

Goad 212

God of Fire 212

God of Literature 213

God of Longevity 215

God of the Kitchen 215

God of War 216

God of Wealth 217

Gold 219

Gong 219

Goose, Wild 221

Gourd 222

Grain Measure 222

Grape 223

Hammer 224

Hand 224

Hare 225

Heart 226

Hemerocallis 226

Horse 227

Hundred Antiques 230

Idols 232

Intestines 234

Iron 234

Islands of the Blest 236

Jade 237

Jar 240

Jasmine 240

Kidneys 241

Kingfisher 241

Kuan Yin 242

Lacquer 245

Lamaism 246

Laocius 248

Lapis Lazuli 250

Leopard 250

Lion 251

Liver 252

Lotus 253

Lozenge 256

Lungs 256

Lute 256

Mace 258

Magnolia 258

Magpie 258

Maitreya Buddha 260

Manjusri 260

Marriage 263

Medicine 266

Mencius 269

Mirrors 270

Monkey 272

Moon 273

Mosquito 276

Mulberry 276

Musical Instruments 277

Mystic Knot 284

Narcissus 285

Nezha 285

Numbers 286

Oak 289

Olea Fragrans 289

Oleander 290

Opium 290

Orange 291

Orchid 292

Owl 292

Ox 293

Pagoda 296

Painting 297

Palm-tree 303

Pan Gu 303

Parrot 305

Peach 305

Peacock 307

Pear 308

Pearl 309

Peng Niao 310

Peony 310

Persimmon 311

Pheasant 312

Phoenix 313

Pig 315

Pike 316

Pine 317

Plant of Long Life 317

Plantain 319

Plum 319

Pomegranate 321

Praying-mantis 322

Pu Xian 322

Quail 324

Queen of Heaven 324

Rat 326

Reed-organ 326

Rhinoceros Horns 327

Rice 328

Ring 329

Rosary 329

Ruyi 330

Scroll 332

Seals 333

Secret Societies 335

Seven Appearances 336

Shakyamuni Buddha 336

Sheep 342

Shop-signs 343

Shun 344

Silk 345

Silver 346

Skeleton Staff 347

Skull-cup 347

Snake 347

Snare 348

Spear 349

Spritualism 349

Spleen 350

Stars 351

Stomach 358

Stone 359

Stone Chime 360

Su Shi 361

Sun 361

Swallow 363

Swastika 364

Sword 365

Taiji 367

Tea 368

Ten Celestial Stems 370

Thigh-bone Trumpet 371

Three Great Beings 371

Three Pure Ones 372

Thunderbolt 375

Thunderbolt-dagger 376

Tiger 377

Toad 379

Tortoise 381

Trees 383

Trident 386

Twelve Ornaments 386

Twelve Terrestrial Branches 388

Umbrella 390

Unicorn 390

Vase 393

Vermicelli 393

Vulture Peak 394

Water 395

Water-pot 398

Weiqi 398

Wei Tuo 399

Wheel of the Law 399

Willow 402

Wish-granting Gem 413

Wolf 414

Wood 414

Written Characters 415

Xi Wang Mu 424

Yama 426

Yao 432

Yin and Yang 433.

ISBN:

080483704X

OCLC:

63136401

Publisher Number:

9780804837040