Chinese Traditional Auspicious motifs: the Dragon and Phoenix in Chinese culture

by MoonToad NL

Article by Inferno Dye

The dragon and the phoenix are classic animals representational of auspiciousness in China.

Together with the Kylin and the tortoise, they were referred to as the "Four Unnatural Spirits." Based on historical documents, the dragon came out in a awesome variety of shapes. It may be short or long, small-scale or huge.

It may be both equally secretive yet lively, and it also inhabited everywhere from the heights to the depths. Journeying between the heavens and earth, dragons were regarded as the mounts of divine deities. They also had the energy to manage rain.During times of drought, dragons could give valuable water, and during times of flooding, they're able to cease the rainfall as well as clean the skies.

The phoenix was generally known as the "Emperor of Birds." A unnatural bird, it encompassed the five benefits of propriety, wisdom, benevolence, righteousness,and sincerity. As such, it harmed neither a individual insect nor leaf of tree. It perched only in the best firmiana tree, consuming nothing but sweet spring water and bamboo seeds. Consequently, any documented sighting of a dragon and a phoenix was thought to be an exceptionally auspicious sign, believed to herald a marvelous time period of peacefulness and wealth for the people and country. This is demonstrated in the Chinese saying, "Whenever the dragon ascends and the phoenix fly, the folks will enjoy happiness for many years, delivering peacefulness and harmony to all of below paradise."

The dragon along with the phoenix, in addition to servicing as auspicious signs, were often metaphors for the aristocrate and the sage in ancient China. For instance, Confucius allegedly compared Lao zi to a dragon; both set aside yet incredibly elusive spirits able to freely transcending the border of paradise and earth. Lao zi can also be believed to have compared the wisdom and elegance of Confucius to the lofty virtues related to the phoenix; both had taken benevolence as the greatest advantage in dealing with others. As a result, we! all kno w through historic texts and items that the dragon and phoenix were auspicious creatures as early as the Neolithic era in China. Extremely adored and valued, images of dragons and phoenixes found their very own way onto ceremonial jades decorations and were chiseled, colored, or sewed onto items of every day use -- which represents reverence for the lofty spirits and passion for auspicious wealth. This tradition was handed down through the ages. From references of dragons and phoenixes in local fests and rituals to the heights of fine art and literature, they all uncover the dignity of these renowned animals.

Since then the Qin dynasty (221-206 B.C.), when ever the very 1st Emperor of China announced himself as descendant of the dragon, almost each emperor was termed as"The Genuine Dragon, Son of Heaven." The dragon therefore grew to become symbolic of the ruler, while the phoenix started to be an embodiment of his spouse. The forms of the dragon and phoenix were changed progressively into images related to the court, symbolizing imperial the aristocracy and power. Almost anything associated with the court, from the decorating of palace architecture down to the insignia on everyday things and dress--even covers and cases for books--were decorated with images and designs bearing imperial dragons and phoenixes. These appear in numerous materials, which range anywhere from jade to paper. Even in the same medium, they take on different looks, like the case with paintings in monochrome ink or color. Of each conceivable type and pose, dragons and phoenixes not just function as adornment, and also seem to come alive, making them "true" treasures of Chinese arts and crafts. Chinese antique porcelain,Chinese antiques

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