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CHINESE SYMBOLISM AND
ART MOTIFS
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19 7 2
8 5
20
1 3 4 9
6 10
11
12 13
18
15 16
14 17
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Key to Plate “Shòu Shän, the Taoist Paradise” ( ) 1. Zhönglí Quán ( ) 2. Zhäng Guölâo ( ) 3. Lû Dòngbïn The Eight ( ) 4. Cáo Guójiù Immortals ( ) 5. Lí Tiêguâi (q.v.) ( ) 6. Hán Xïangzî ( ) 7. Lan Câihé ( ) 8. Hé Xiängü ), with 9. Liú Hâi ( 10.The Toad ( ), (q.v.) ), the Twin Genii of Union 11. Shuäng Xiän ( and Harmony ), the Spirit of the 12. Nán Jí lâo rén ( South Pole. ) and 13.The magicians Zhäng Qiän ( ), 14. Liú Chén ( ), 15. Fù Xïng ( ), and 16. Lø Xïng ( ), the three Star-Gods of Happiness, Affluence, and 17. Shòu Xïng ( Longevity. ), 18.The philosopher Chén Xïyí ( ), the White Cranes, Messengers and Coursers 19. and 20. Bái Hè ( of the Gods.
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CHINESE SYMBOLISM
AND
ART MOTIFS A Comprehensive Handbook on Symbolism in Chinese Art Through the Ages with over 400 illustrations Fourth Revised Edition
by C.A.S. WILLIAMS with an introduction to the new edition by TERENCE BARROW
T U T T L E Publishing Tokyo Rutland, Vermont Singapore
Published by Tuttle Publishing, an imprint of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd., www.tuttlepublishing.com © 1974 by Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc. All rights reserved. LCC Card No. 89185845 ISBN: 978-1-4629-0314-6 (ebook)
First Tuttle edition, 1974 First Tuttle paperback edition, 1988 Revised edition, 2006 Distributed by: North America, Latin America & Europe Tuttle Publishing 364 Innovation Drive, North Clarendon, VT 05759-9436, U.S.A Tel: 1 (802) 773-8930 Fax: 1 (802) 773-6993
[email protected] www.tuttlepublishing.com Japan Tuttle Publishing Yaekari Building, 3rd Floor, 5-4-12 Osaki, Shinagawa-ku, Tokyo 141-0032 Tel: (81) 3 5437-0171 Fax: (81) 3 5437-0755
[email protected] www.tuttle.co.jp Asia Pacific Berkeley Books Pte Ltd, 61 Tai Seng Avenue, #02-12 Singapore 534167 Tel: (65) 6280-1330 Fax: (65) 6280-6290
[email protected] www.periplus.com 15 14 13 12 11 1108TP
8 7 6 5 4
Printed in Singapore
TUTTLE PUBLISHING ® is a registered trademark of Tuttle Publishing, a division of Periplus Editions (HK) Ltd.
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“WHAT ARE THE FOUR INTELLIGENT CREATURES? They are: the Unicorn, the Phoenix, the Tortoise and the Dragon.” ( Legge: Lî Jì (
) ), Bk.VII, Sect. III, § 10, p. 384.
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Contents A Agriculture Alarm-staff Amber Amitabha Amusements Ânanda Ancestral Worship Ant Apple Apricot Architecture Astrology Astronomy Axe Azalea
Butterfly 33 36 36 37 38 44 45 46 47 47 48 55 58 58 59
C Cangue Canopy Carpets Castanets Cat Cedrela Chain Charms Cherry Chinaware Chisel-knife Chrysanthemum Cicada Club Coins Colours Compass Conch-shell Conch-shell Trumpet Confucius Convolvulus Coral Costume Cotton Crane Cricket Cross-thunderbolt Crow Crown of Brahma Curios Cycle of Sixty
B Bamboo Bat Be