Twelve Years Cycle And Chinese Zodiac Symbols
The signs that make up the Chinese Zodiac calendar are images of various animals. The Chinese have been using this 12 year cycle for dating the years since ancient times. Unlike the western linear idea of time the Chinese lunar calendar represents a cyclical concept of time.
You will discover that the functioning of Chinese calendar is absolutely opposite to that of western calendar. Western calendar is called solar calendar because it follows the sun whereas Chinese follow the moon’s progress and is called lunar calendar. The Chinese New Year too starts around end of January and beginning of February.
even though China officially adopted the Western calendar in 1911 the lunar calendar is still used to mark traditional events and festive occasions. The Chinese New Year is one of the most prominent examples of the use of the lunar calendar in modern day China. This is the reason we find the majority of the calendars printed in China showing both the solar as well as the Chinese lunar dates.
The cyclical concept of time developed a physical representation in the form of animals according to popular folklore. An animal was assigned to each year which would be the official symbol for that year. The twelve years have twelve distinct animals with their respective traits. Since the calendar is cyclical the same animal returns every twelve years.
The animals that represented the years took on the connotation that is similar to the concept of monthly or daily horoscopes in the west. The only distinction was that the Chinese zodiac symbols determined were for the entire year. Hence people born in the year of a particular animal were believed to have the characteristics associated with that animal.
The Chinese zodiac symbols have another important meaning apart from the qualities of the person that they depict which at times may not be taken seriously.
Chinese lunar calendar is very effective in calculating the age of a person. Once you know the type of the animal to which the person belongs with a bit of intelligence and little mathematics this can be done.
You may wonder why the Chinese allocate each twelve years to twelve different animals. The ancient tales show that there was a quarrel between twelve animals as to who would control the cycle of changing years. It was decided that the first animal to reach the opposite bank of a river in a race would lead and the rest would follow as they finished the race.
As the legend goes the Ox was in the lead in the race to the opposite bank with a rat on its back. When it was about to reach the finishing line the rat being smart jumped off its back and became first to finish. Thus the months too start with rat in the lead with ox taking the second position and pig in the last.
Chinese symbolic meanings are highly profound and important to in Chinese culture. TO know more about Chinese name symbolism click on the hyperlinks.
categories: china,astrology,culture,history,tattoo,art,education,writing,language
Tattoos | Comment (0)Value Of Chinese Calligraphy
That the Chinese people have inherent talent combined with inborn aesthetics is visible in the Chinese calligraphy. Hence, as a result, we find Chinese calligraphic silk scrolls hanging in the studies of intellectuals who have pure knowledge about the history of Chinese calligraphy.
The art of Chinese calligraphy is unique in its own way and is still held in high esteem by the people of China. One can often see two panels of Chinese calligraphy hanging by the entrances of houses as a means of adding some class to the dcor. The scrolls are like long pieces of paper with Chinese inscriptions on them.
Most of the calligraphic scrolls found at the entrances of many houses have special signs that stand for some in depth meaning. One of the common most Chinese calligraphic symbols seen at doorways is the one wishing a good year ahead. Other varieties involve name plates that bear the names of the family or the owner of the house.
When it’s the question of the artistic excellence of Chinese calligraphy, it stands on the top undeniably. The Chinese were known to be masters with the brush and the volumes of Chinese calligraphic symbols are a proof of their craftsmanship.
The complete collection of calligraphic symbols is observed in hand painted works of art. However, there is such uniqueness in the workmanship that no two symbols in the calligraphy appear same.
In modern times the world wide public has developed an appreciation for Chinese calligraphy symbols. One can find a wide range of interior decoration items as well as fashion accessories such as pendants and necklaces featuring different Chinese calligraphy symbols.
That the Chinese craftsmanship is timeless and priceless can be seen by the growing popularity of Chinese calligraphic symbols. These symbols that were designed at a time dated much before and are so aesthetically genuine that they even appeal to people who are unaware of the language itself. This is the most amazing quality of these Chinese calligraphic symbols.
The more you concentrate on calligraphy, the better in will seem to you. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it serves both purposes of form and function with precision. Moreover, these calligraphic symbols are very aesthetically soothing to the eyes and they also serve the purpose of communication.
On top of these two awesome aspects of Chinese calligraphy you have the skill and craftsmanship of the people who perform the art of calligraphy with their brushes. All these factors combined make Chinese calligraphy symbols a collection of highly revered art work.
Traditional Chinese calligraphy symbols are good fun and educational . If you want to find out more about Chinese kanji signs follow the preceding hyperlinks.
categories: calligraphy,art,design,china,culture,history,writing,education
Tattoos | Comment (0)Tattooing And Chinese Concepts
Chinese tattoos hold a strange kind of fascination for people and in spite of their ancient origin they are still extremely popular. The beauty of these tattoos has recently been discovered by the western world and they are very much in demand though they are not aware of the meaning of these tattoos.
The exotic Chinese tattoos are so attractive that people want them without being aware of what they stand for. The western television media has popularized the Chinese tattoos to such an extent that the young people there get the tattoos done permanently on their body without bothering about their meaning.
At times running to get a Chinese tattoo symbol on your body could leave you regretting it for the rest of your life. This is because what may appear to you as an aesthetically alluring design may have a totally awkward and embarrassing meaning that will get any one familiar with the meaning of Chinese symbols laughing and staring at you for all the wrong reasons.
As an art form Chinese tattoos present an exotic and interesting means of presenting it. It is so aesthetically presented that today it is claiming world wide recognition though this form of expression have been around for centuries. Interestingly Chinese themselves do not put much value on tattooing as it is not considered to be respectable.
It is a surprising fact that tattoo as a form of art was considered to be indecent in ancient China. In spite of such feelings the tattoo artists had expressed their art in a most artistic and philosophical way and the symbols representing the tattoos mean many different things.
Why the Chinese regarded tattooing as an exception was the fact that these symbols were engraved on the bodies of the criminals in olden times who were treated as outcasts. Now of course the view has changed as Chinese tattooing has become so popular all over the world especially in the west.
People who are actually interested in getting a Chinese tattoo and do not comprehend the meaning of existing symbols wish to get names, ideas and concepts from other languages translated to Chinese tattoos. This does not pose much problem because most of what they wish to be translated is already existing in the Chinese tattoo symbols and as an art form it goes back to 4000 years in history.
Every concept is turned into a symbol of Chinese language which is extremely artistic. This is a scientifically developed art which consists of 70, 000 concepts and you will probably run out of ideas to translate concepts into Chinese symbol for tattooing purpose or otherwise. Thus you can be sure that any idea from any language can be successfully translated to Chinese symbol and still look equally pleasing.
It is important to mention that what we know as Kanji script may look very similar to Chinese tattoo symbol is actually quite different. Though originating in China, Kanji was adopted and modified by Japanese. So if any symbol appears to be similar to Kanji may have a totally different meaning in Chinese.
Chinese peace symbols can be a good choice for a tattoo. If you want to see more Chinese kanji script please follow the links.
categories: tattoo,art,health,china,chinese,spiritual,culture,language
Tattoos | Comment (1)Asian Animal Symbols From China
Animal symbols play a role of significance in many cultures as seen in the history of the world. The position and importance of animal symbols in the Chinese culture is beyond comparison with regards to the cultures and its found to be true.
These Chinese animal symbols were objects of philosophical inner meaning and it has been passed on in generations. Chinese people are well-known for their amazing power of observation and philosophical thought. They utilized their skills to watch animals and their behaviors and that resulted in finding out their characteristics. This information was then used to connect the animal traits with the humans.
The vast collections of Chinese animal symbols are taken at different value. For some they act as a reminder whereas others take them as omens and charms. One of the most interesting aspects of Chinese animal symbols is their visual representation which is considered to be very artistic.
The fact that you will be able to find these Chinese animal symbols in a wide variety of mediums adds diversity to the way they are represented. Hence we find that whereas the way a particular animal is physically represented may vary but the meaning and individuality associated with that animal remain constant.
Paintings, clothes, paintings on homes, statues and embroidery etc. are but a few mediums on which you might find Chinese animal symbols. Today, these animal symbols have been successful in attracting a broad spectrum of people, even those who are not from a Chinese origin.
The western world has been greatly influenced and enchanted by the Chinese animal symbols. It is surprising to find people actually to go through the trouble of searching for their birth year in the Chinese lunar calendars to find their symbol.
Then they put this knowledge to use in many different ways. You will find some people get themselves tattooed with the Chinese animal symbol that denotes the year in which the individual was born. T-shirts, caps, jewelry and posters etc are other mediums through which Chinese animal symbols are becoming part of the western culture.
Culturally the Chinese have their own set of beliefs regarding their animal symbols. They are thought to be highly positive symbols the presence of which can bring about a positive change in an individual’s life. This is done by understanding the meaning and characteristics behind the animal symbol and trying to incorporate them in their lives.
What the western world needs to do is to basically find the animal that denotes the person’s birth year according to the lunar Chinese calendar. Then he must use it in different types of art.
Chinese symbol meanings can be a good means of learning more about Chinese culture. If you would like to read further on Chinese dragon drawings follow the links herein.
categories: chinese symbols,china,culture,language,symbols,tattoo,animal,pets
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