The classification principle of traditional Chinese cultural symbols is based on "source" or "body", not as in the West.
Chinese traditional cultural symbols are divided into two categories according to heaven, earth and people. One is the natural symbols of heaven, earth and people, referred to as natural symbols. One is the artificial talisman simulated by human beings after experiencing the talisman of heaven and earth, referred to as artificial talisman (but it is not made behind closed doors).
Natural symbols refer to those mountains, rivers, sun, moon and stars that can embody the spirit of heaven and earth, just like God uses the vast sky and earth as paper, and uses gold, water, wood, fire and earth as pen and ink to write the magnificent words. symbol. However, due to the different arrangements and combinations of mountains, rivers, sun, moon and stars, the effects of time are different. Therefore, not all nature is beneficial to human reproduction and survival at all times, but only those things discovered by sages over thousands of years, such as surrounding mountains, Qushui, Beidou, etc. correspond to the spiral field of the universe and are beneficial to mankind. These are "auspicious" talismans and yang talismans. On the contrary, if the Langya Mountain, Zhixie Water, Comet, etc. cannot gather the aura of heaven and earth and are harmful to human beings, they are evil or yin talismans. The former is praised as "there must be energy when surrounded by mountains and rivers", while the latter is denounced as "mountains and rivers are a ruined place", "going straight forward is harmful to people", etc.
The man-made talisman is based on the holographic principle of correspondence between heaven and man. Through practicing, the sages collected the energy of the universe and mixed their own energy, and then used paper, pen, ink (or cinnabar, realgar and other traditional Chinese medicine) It is released outside the body as an intermediate medium and exists in symbols composed of various curves and straight lines. The shape of this talisman is consistent with the natural talisman of heaven and earth, and is consistent with the natural aura of heaven and earth. In terms of size, the talisman is like a peach stone, and the "micro-carving" technology of rice grains is like "monosodium glutamate" and "saccharin" in terms of simulation. In short, it is a microcosm.
Natural talismans are closely related to artificial talismans. In Feng Shui, artificial qi talismans are often used to adjust those less than ideal auras, which are called "exorcism". Artificial physical talismans are often used, such as A ring-shaped building imitating a mountain creates a place for energy gathering. When writing man-made talismans, a good natural aura is needed to ensure the effect. The cross-application of these two types of symbols not only reflects conformity, but also shows the enterprising spirit of transforming the status quo and illustrates the positive attitude towards life of the sages towards nature.
Of course, whether natural talismans or artificial talismans, they can be further divided into two categories: gasification talismans and physical talismans.
Western semiotics is an emerging discipline. However, it does not appear as an independent figure in China, but is scattered in traditional Chinese culture such as traditional Chinese medicine, folklore, Taoism, martial arts, art of war, qigong, supernatural powers, calligraphy, etc. Therefore, studying and sorting out Chinese semiotics is a cumbersome and arduous project.
Kungfu
Tea
Baozi
Blue and white porcelain
Among the 20 major image symbols of Chinese culture, " The four symbols "Terracotta Warriors and Horses", "Tang Empire", "Silk" and "Journey to the West" contain elements of Shaanxi (Chang'an). In this regard, Kong Zhengyi, deputy director of Xi'an Museum, said in an interview with reporters yesterday that the selection of the top 20 image symbols of Chinese culture has a certain truth, but is overall biased and worthy of discussion.
Chinese ranked first, and "Chinese cooking" was selected
"Newsweek" selected the 12 major cultural countries and 20 major symbols representing national culture.
The 12 countries rated by netizens are the United States, China, the United Kingdom, France, Japan, Italy, Germany, Russia, Spain, India, Greece and South Korea. The 20 major image symbols of the culture of these 12 countries are also familiar, involving economy, sports, music, food, architecture, history, politics and other aspects. For example, the image symbols representing American culture include Wall Street, Coca-Cola, NBA, and the Statue of Liberty. , Disney, etc.; the image symbols representing British culture include English, Buckingham Palace, Oxford University, gentlemanly demeanor, etc.; the image symbols representing Italian culture include the Roman Empire, the Pope, Renaissance, pizza, etc. In addition, Egyptian culture, Thai culture, Mexican culture, Brazilian culture, Israeli culture (Jewish culture), Turkish culture, Austrian culture, and Iranian culture (Persian culture) ranked 13th to 20th.
In terms of visual symbols representing Chinese culture, Chinese ranks first, followed by the Forbidden City in Beijing, the Great Wall, Suzhou gardens, etc.