Birds, bats and butterflies
Updated: 2012-09-28 07:54
(China Daily)
|
|||||||||
Birds are one of the typical creatures favored by Chinese textile designers. Wang Lili / For China Daily |
Birds, Bats and Butterflies of Chinese Textiles looks at the felicitous messages found in Chinese folklore and mythology, often based on Confucian, Taoist or Buddhist canons and beliefs.
Chinese textile designs illustrating these messages often favor motifs with double meanings or verbal puns that result in intricate, colorful, and inter-related designs that reflect a strong sense of cultural tradition.
Birds symbolize the literary refinement of the scholars with the ability to fly toward heaven. One of the 12 imperial symbols is a three-legged bird in a red circle representing the sun.
Bats are understood to represent luck. The word "bat" in Chinese sounds identical to the word for "good fortune". A bat brandishing a swastika on a ribbon is a visual rebus depicting "10,000 blessings".
Butterflies imply long life, beauty and elegance. A pair symbolizes love, specifically young love, or an undying bond between lovers, and embroidered on garments strengthens the energy of love. A reliance on the heavens, principles of duality, harmony of nature and a universe reflecting a cosmic balance are recurring themes.
Date: Sept 27-Jan 20
Venue: Honolulu Museum of Art, Honolulu, Hawaii
Website: honolulumuseum.org/art/exhibitions
(China Daily 09/28/2012 page23)
- Relief reaches isolated village
- Rainfall poses new threats to quake-hit region
- Funerals begin for Boston bombing victims
- Quake takeaway from China's Air Force
- Obama celebrates young inventors at science fair
- Earth Day marked around the world
- Volunteer team helping students find sense of normalcy
- Ethnic groups quick to join rescue efforts
Most Viewed
Editor's Picks
Supplies pour into isolated villages |
All-out efforts to save lives |
American abroad |
Industry savior: Big boys' toys |
New commissioner
|
Liaoning: China's oceangoing giant |
Today's Top News
Chinese fleet drives out Japan's boats from Diaoyu
Health new priority for quake zone
Inspired by Guan, more Chinese pick up golf
Russia criticizes US reports on human rights
China, ROK criticize visits to shrine
Sino-US shared interests emphasized
China 'aims to share its dream with world'
Chinese president appoints 5 new ambassadors
US Weekly
Beyond Yao
|
Money power |