CHINESE
ANIMAL SYMBOLS
Animals have always had a profound impact on the
human psyche in all times and across all cultures. Men have always tried
to depict animals through various symbols ever since prehistoric times.
The importance of animal symbols is even more obvious in the Chinese
culture. The Chinese have always been excellent philosophers and
observers of nature. They have understood the deeper meanings that
animals hold. They have sought to use the characteristics of each
creature to represent the particular qualities that they wish to have in
their own lives. In China, animal symbols are used as charms, omens and
portents of wealth and good luck.
There are probably hundreds of animal symbols in
China, running into thousands of variations. Yet, they can be classified
into three main categories:
(i)
Domestic animals are symbols of the deliberate cooperation with
the forces of nature such as agriculture.
(ii)
Wild animals are representative of the undomesticated nature as
well as Man’s own feral desires.
(iii)
Mythical beasts are representative of the magical or supernatural
world.
The Chinese believed that each symbol had specific
positive impacts on the lives of those who bore them. Below are some of
the animal symbols regularly used in China and their meanings:
The Butterfly
The butterfly is the symbol of love in China,
especially young love. The butterfly jumps from flower to flower. It
thus also signifies a happy social life. It represents the Yang energy
and is thought to energize young couples.
The Crane
The prince of all feathered creatures is one of the
most favored symbols of China. It symbolizes longevity due to its long
life. The crane was believed to be the vehicle by which the departed
left for the heavens.
The Phoenix
This mythical creature is considered to be the queen
of the winged world. The magnificence of this bird denotes good fortune
and luck. It also signifies strength and resilience as it rises from its
own ashes every time it is killed. It is the counterpart of the Dragon,
which the representative of the Yang energy. The symbol of the Phoenix
is used by women who wish to conceive or accomplish some formidable task
(e.g. construction of a building…etc).
The Magpie
The Chinese symbol for magpie translates into “the
bird of joy” in English. When the magpie nests in a home, it was thought
to bring many happy occasions. The magpie symbol means nesting, family
and children. It is a nice symbol to place in the home of newly-weds.
The Goose
The goose mates only once in a lifetime. It serves as
a symbol of fidelity and conjugal bliss. Ducks also have this same
meaning. They are good symbols to place in master bedrooms and living
rooms.
The Tortoise
Chinese legends attribute supernatural powers to the
tortoise. They are symbolic of persistent and constant effort that
results in success. Symbols of the tortoise are placed where there is a
need for balanced and relentless effort such as study rooms, libraries
and research labs. |
