Zodiac Symbols And Animals
The Chinese calendar has a entirely different system of dating as compared to the west. They follow a lunar calendar which shows a cycle of 12 years unlike the west where we use a linear calendar to show the time concept. As far as Zodiac calendar is concerned the Chinese use animal images to stand for each Zodiac sign.
Since the Chinese calendar is dependent on the cycles of the moon it is known as a lunar calendar and functions diametrically opposite to that of the western solar calendar. On comparing the Chinese New Year to the western one we find that it begins somewhere close to the end of January and beginning of February.
The present day China still stick to the lunar calendar for its traditional events and festivities though formally it had adopted the western calendar by 1911. To give an example the Chinese New Year is still celebrated as per the lunar calendar. The calendars which are printed in China today show both lunar and solar dates.
The Chinese followed the idea of popular folk custom of representing every year physically with some animal. A particular animal will represent a particular year. Thus twelve years show twelve different animals with their own characteristics. As the calendar is cyclic the same animals keep coming back once in every twelve years.
Even though it was a yearly representation the animals concerned had similar connotation as that of the western monthly or daily horoscope. The difference lied in the yearly representation. According to Chinese Zodiac assumption people born in a particular year will have qualities of that particular animal representing the year.
Apart from the personality traits that Chinese zodiac symbols are supposed to portray which may or may not be taken seriously; they play another important function. One can use the Chinese lunar calendar to decide the age of an individual. Once you know the person’s animal sign then you can easily calculate their age by using a bit of common sense and basic math.
The other function which the Chinese calendar performs is to show the age of a person. By knowing the animal sign of an individual you can calculate the age applying basic math and common sense.
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 completed the race.
In the race the Ox took the lead and the rat rode on the Ox’s back. As the Ox almost reached the opposite bank, the rat being sly jumped off the Ox’s back on the bank and got the first position. So the rat leads the cycle of year till today with the ox being the second. The last is the pig to depict the last month.
Chinese zodiac symbolism are fascinating in their meaning. To learn more about Chinese New Year symbols follow the hyperlinks.
Tattoos | Comment (0)Specialty Of Eastern Calligraphic Symbols
Chinese calligraphy shows a genuine reflection of the inborn aesthetics that the Chinese people possess. This is the reason we find Chinese calligraphic silk scrolls hanging in the studies of intellectuals that have a refined taste and knowledge of the history of Chinese calligraphy.
Chinese calligraphy is an art of high prestigious value in the eyes of Chinese people. One often sees two panels of calligraphic scrolls dangling at the entrances of houses in order to double the beauty of any decor. These scrolls are basically long pieces of paper with Chinese inscriptions on it.
Entrances of many Chinese houses have these Chinese calligraphic scrolls which possess specific Chinese symbols that are based on some concepts and philosophy. Chinese calligraphic scrolls that have wishes for a good New Year ahead written on them are the most common of all. Other variations involve name plates that bear the name of the resident of the house.
When it’s the question of the artistic brilliance 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 absolute collection of Chinese calligraphic symbols are observed in figures of art that involve hand painting. There is so much of variety in this collection of calligraphic symbols that almost unbelievably no two symbols look close in appearance.
At present, the western world has started appreciating and approving of the rare beauty of Chinese calligraphic symbols. It won’t be unexpected to find such calligraphic symbols used in interior decorations and as fashion items like pendants and necklaces all over the world.
The fact that Chinese calligraphy symbols are gaining popularity today clearly indicates the timeless value of their artistry. The symbols that were developed ages ago were so aesthetically sound that they continue to have an appeal on people who are alien to the language itself. This is one of the most phenomenal aspects of Chinese calligraphy symbols.
Chinese calligraphy requires concentration for better understanding of its meaning and to appreciate it more. Its beauty lies in the fact that it balances both form and function with precision. On one hand, these calligraphic symbols have great artistic skill which makes it look beautiful and on the other hand they also serve as modes of communication.
The third factor that comes along with the form and function is the fact that god-gifted craftsmen and talented people plan for practicing this art of calligraphy and produce beautiful results. All these factors combine to make this form of art a highly respected one and extremely prestigious for the Chinese.
Chinese calligraphy characters are an art form in themselves. To know more about Chinese dragon signs please follow the links.
categories: calligraphy,art,design,china,culture,history,writing,education
Tattoos | Comment (0)The Great Tattoos From Ancient Chinese Symbols
The everlasting artistic appeal of Chinese tattoo symbols is the reason why their popularity continues to grow even today. The west has developed a new found fascination with Chinese tattoo symbols even though the many people are unaware of their meanings.
The exotic symbols are so aesthetically appealing by themselves that people have used them for tattoos without even knowing what they stand for. This phenomenon is a common practice in the west. The youth, inspired by the television media seeks to get interesting Chinese tattoo symbols stamped on their body for life.
You should take care before you get a Chinese symbol stamped on your body without knowing its meaning just for its aesthetic value. Anybody who has an understanding of Chinese tattoo meaning could easily understand what you have on your body which may be quite inappropriate. In such a case it could be embarrassing when people may stare and laugh at you.
The practice of body tattoo is an ancient art form in China though it is not considered to be respectable to get one done on you. Whereas Chinese tattoos have gained world wide popularity in recent times and presents an exciting and unorthodox art form.
The large numbers of symbols that symbolize Chinese tattoos have deep philosophical meanings attached to them which are different from each other. In spite of such superior tattoo art tattooing itself was regarded as a barbaric art in olden days in China.
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 perception 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 create 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.
The Chinese writing system is a totally developed science that has more than 70,000 symbols. So you can’t possibly even conceive as many concepts as can be translated into Chinese symbols for the use of tattoos or otherwise. Anything in any contemporary language can be converted into Chinese symbols and produce the same aesthetically pleasing look.
Some people mistake traditional Chinese symbols to be the same as the script known as Kanji. The truth of the matter is that the Kanji although Chinese in origin was adopted and modified by the Japanese. Whereas the Chinese tattoo symbols that may even have a similar physical appearance can have drastically different meanings.
Chinese tattoo symbolism are getting more popular. To read further on Chinese calligraphy symbolism follow the links. Visit the Uber Article Directory to get a totally unique version of this article for reprint.
Tattoos | Comment (1)Asian Animal Symbols From China
Animal symbols play a part 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.
Generations after generations these Chinese animal symbols of profound meanings were passed on. Moreover Chinese people are already famous for their outstanding powers of observation and philosophical ideas. This god-gifted talent was utilized to study animal behavior and characters and also knowledge about their traits. This resulted in drawing out characteristics that had connections with the human nature and personality.
However the great collection of Chinese animal symbols is of a different rare value altogether. For some, they serve as souvenir whereas some take it as omens and charms. Another important aspect of these animal symbols is that their visual representation is very artistic.
The fact that you will be able to find these Chinese animal symbols in a broad 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.
You may possibly of see Chinese animal symbols in a wide variety of mediums like paintings, clothes, paintings on homes, embroidery etc. Recently, these animal symbols have collected a group of lovers who are not even from the Chinese background.
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.
This information gathered from the Chinese calendars about the birth year and the symbol linked with it, is then put into use in a variety of ways. Some people get a tattoo of the Chinese symbol that indicates their birth year. Other mediums of influence are T-shirts, caps, jewelry and posters etc. that have been incorporated into western culture Chinese culture.
Traditionally the Chinese have their own set of beliefs regarding their animal symbols. They are believed 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 forms of art.
There is a great variety of Chinese animal symbols. To read more about ancient Chinese symbols please follow the links. Grab a totally unique version of this article from the Uber Article Directory
categories: chinese symbols,china,culture,language,symbols,tattoo,animal,pets
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