User:Donald Trung/Implied meanings of Chinese numismatic charms/The Letters O, P, Q, and R

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Symbol Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Pinyin Implied or hidden meaning Origin of the association Exemplary image
Onion 蔥 葱 Cōng Intelligence and wit. The Mandarin Chinese word for "onion" (蔥, cōng) sounds like Mandarin Chinese word for "clever" or "intelligent" (聰明 , cōng míng).[1]
Orange 桔 桔 Jú Good luck and good fortune. The orange is associated with good fortune because it is the colour orange.
The Hanzi character for orange is "桔" which contains the two Hanzi characters "木" (which could be translated into English as "tree") and "吉" (which clue be translated into English as "lucky" or "auspicious").[2]
Orchid 蘭 兰 Lán Being humble, modest, beautiful, and refined.
Female beauty.[3][4][5][6]		 The orchid is a member of the Four Gentlemen.
Osmanthus
(or Chinese cinnamon)		 桂 桂 Guì "preciousness" and "honour".
Longevity.		 The Mandarin Chinese word for an "osmanthus blossom" (桂, guì) sounds similar to the Mandarin Chinese term for "something that is precious" or "something that is of value" (貴, guì).
The scent of the Osmanthus fragrans is associated with fragrance (or an "honourable life").[7][8][9]
Ox
(Water Buffalo)		 牛 牛 Niú The Chinese zodiac "ox".
If a young man or boy is depicted riding an ox this represents a young Zhu Yuanzhang, a poor agrarian boy who would later found the Ming dynasty.[10]
Harvest, fertility, and springtime.
A simple and idyllic life (to city dwellers as well as officials employed by the government).		 The ox is one of the twelve animals represented as a Chinese zodiac.
Due to the fact that oxen are important to agricultural development they’re associated with harvests, fertility, and the springtime.
Peach 桃 桃 Táo Marriage, springtime, longevity, justice, and Taoist immortality.
The second month of the Chinese lunisolar famer's calendar.
The peach is a member of the Chinese "three plenties", which are also known as the Chinese "three abundances".
Weaponry.
Protection from demons.		 Peaches are associated with longevity because of the peaches of immortality.[11]
The Peach is associated with weaponry such as arrows and swords because peach wood was used to make these things (and amulets) in China during the antique period due to the fact that the Mandarin Chinese word for "peach" (桃, táo) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese term for "to flee", "to retreat", or "to run away" (逃, táo).
The ancient Chinese people believed that the timber of peach trees could keep demons away because the Mandarin Chinese word for "peach" sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "to eliminate" (淘, táo).[12]
Peacock 孔雀 孔雀 Kǒng què A desire for prosperity and peaceful times.
Dignity paired with beauty.
High rank.		 The Queen Mother of the West is sometimes depicted riding a peacock.
The ancient Chinese people believed that a single glance of a peacock would instantly make a woman pregnant.
During Ming and Qing dynasties the seniority of an official could be deduced by how many peacock feathers they had on their hat.[13][14]
Peanut 花生 花生 Huā shēng Fertility. The second Hanzi character in the Mandarin Chinese word for "peanut" which is "生" also is synonymous with the term "to give birth".[15]
Peony 牡丹 / 富貴花 牡丹 / 富贵花 Mǔ dān / Fù guì huā Longevity, happiness, eternally lasting beauty,[16] and loyalty.
The third month of the Chinese lunisolar famer's calendar.
Economic prosperity and wealth.[17]		 The double manner in which peonies grow resemble strings of Chinese cash coins which is why they’re associated with richness, this is also the origin of the alternative Mandarin Chinese name for the peony "fù guì huā" (富貴花).
Peony in a vase 牡丹花瓶 牡丹花瓶 Mǔ dān huā píng If a peony is depicted inside of a vase it symbolises economic wealth and prosperity during peacetime. The Mandarin Chinese word for "peony" (牡丹, mǔ dān) can be translated as "the flower of wealth and honour", while the Mandarin Chinese word for "vase" (瓶, píng) is a homophonic pun with "peace" (平安, píng ān).
Persimmon 柿 柿 Shì The persimmon is considered to be an auspicious symbol in Chinese art due to the fact that it has an orange colour and round shape.
Official matters.
A gentleman or an official employed by the government.
If a persimmon is paired with an apple in a Chinese numismatic charm or amulet then it symbolises that one's matters shall be safe in the form of a rebus.		 The Mandarin Chinese word for "persimmon" (柿, shì) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "matters, affairs or events" (事, shì).
The Mandarin Chinese word for "persimmon" sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "official" or "gentleman" (仕, shì).
The Mandarin Chinese word for "apple" (蘋果, píng guǒ) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "safety" (平安, píng ān) forming a visual pun that symbolises the saying "may your matters be safe" (事平安, shì píng ān).[18][19][20][21]
Pig
(may also be depicted as a Boar or a Hog.)		 豬 猪 Zhū The pig (or boar) belongs to the twelve Chinese zodiac animals.[22]
Economic prosperity and good luck to families that have the financial capabilities to afford food of high quality.
Protection from evil spirits.		 The reason pigs are associated with a protection from evil is because of an ancient Chinese tradition where parents would let their sons wear pig-themed shoes and hats to fool evil spirits into thinking that the boy was a pig and would be left alone.[23][24][25]
Pine tree 松 松 Sōng Longevity.
Solitude.
Protection of the dead.
The pine tree is one of the Chinese Three Friends of Winter.		 The reason why pine trees are associated with longevity in China is because they can endure very rough weather during the winter.
The reason why the ancient Chinese people believed that pine trees protected the dead was because they believed that a creature named Wang Xiang (罔象) loved devouring the brains of dead people but was afraid of pine trees, due to this associated the ancient Chinese often planted pine trees near graveyards.[26][27]
Plum 梅 梅 Méi Hopefulness and courageousness.
The first month of the Chinese lunisolar famer's calendar.
The petals of a plum blossom symbolise the Chinese five blessings.[28]
The plum is one of the Chinese Three Friends of Winter.[29]		 The ancient Chinese associated plums with courage due to the fact that plums blossom first while the winter still poses a threat to its fruits, which is considered to be brave.
Pomegranate 石榴 石榴 Shí liu Fertility.[30]
The pomegranate is a member of the Chinese "three plenties", which are also known as the Chinese "three abundances".
The first sixth of the Chinese lunisolar famer's calendar.		 The pomegranate is associated with fertility for two reasons, one of those reasons is because pomegranates have lots of seeds and the other reason is the fact that the first Hanzi character Mandarin Chinese word for "pomegranate" (石榴, shí liu) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese term for "generations" (世, shì) as in "generations of descendants".
Prawn[a] 蝦 虾 Xiā Happiness and laughter. Imagery of prawns are considered to be auspicious in Chinese art because the Chinese character for "prawn" (蝦) is pronounced as xiā in Mandarin Chinese and haa in Yuè Chinese (Cantonese) which are both very similar to the sound people make when they laugh (ha ha ha).[31][32][33]
Pumpkin 南瓜 南瓜 Nán guā A desire to produce male offspring. The first Hanzi character Mandarin Chinese word for "pumpkin" (南, nán ; meaning south) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "boy" or "male" (男, nán).
Qilin
("Chinese Unicorn")		 麒麟 麒麟 Qílín Benevolence, goodwill, good fortune, and prosperity.
The west and autumn.		 The Qilin was believed by the ancient Chinese people to appear every time a new sage was born, for example the birth of Confucius. For this reason Qilin are often depicted delivering babies on Chinese numismatic charms and amulets.[34][35][36][37][38]
Quail 鵪鶉 鹌鹑 Ān chún Courage.
Peace.
Poverty.		 The quail is associated with courage due to the fact that it has a very combatitive attitude.
The first Hanzi character in the Mandarin Chinese word for "quail" (鵪鶉, ān chún) can be used in a homophonic pun for "peace" (安, ān).[39]
Rabbit
(Bunny or hare)		 兔子 兔子 Tù zi Longevity.
The rabbit (or hare) belongs to the twelve Chinese zodiac animals.		 The reason that rabbits are associated with longevity in Chinese numismatic charms, amulets, and talismans is because in Taoist mythology the elixir of immortality is prepared by the "moon hare", who resides on the moon.[40][41][42][43]
Rat[44] 老鼠 / 大鼠 老鼠 / 大鼠 Lǎo shǔ / Dà shǔ Abundance, fertility, and wealth.
The rat belongs to the twelve animals that are represented as a Chinese zodiac.		 The rat is associated with fertility due to the fact that they have strong reproductive abilities.
Reed pipe 笙 笙 Shēng Giving birth.
Rising a rank.		 The Mandarin Chinese word for "reed pipe" (笙, shēng) sounds similar to the Mandarin Chinese word meaning "to give birth" (生, shēng).[45]
The Mandarin Chinese word for "reed pipe" sounds similar to the Mandarin Chinese word which could be translated as "to rise" (升, shēng).[46]
Rhinoceros horns 犀角 犀角 Xī jiǎo Happiness.
Rhinoceros horns are considered one of the Chinese eight treasures.[47][48]		 The first Hanzi character in the Mandarin Chinese word for "rhinoceros horn" (犀角, xī jiǎo) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "happiness" (喜, xǐ).
Ribbons and fillets 帶 带 Dài Ribbons enhance the miraculous powers of the object they are bound to, and they increase their importance.
Greatness and vastness.
Descendants who enjoy longevity.		 The Mandarin Chinese word for "ribbon" or "fillet" (帶, dài) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "generations" (代, dài), and as the Mandarin Chinese word for a fillet which has been attached to an official seal is (綬帶, shòu dài), the first Hanzi character of this term could also be associate with a long life because it sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "longevity" (壽, shòu), combined this means that future generations shall enjoy longevity.
As these ribbons are red they are associated with joy and happiness.[49]
The Mandarin Chinese word for the colour "red" (紅, hóng) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese words for "vast" (洪, hóng) and "great" (宏, hóng).
Ritual baton 笏 笏 Hù Ritual batons (also known as wooden clappers or castanets) are usually found on Chinese numismatic charms and amulet as a symbol shaped like an "X".
High rank.		 It is thought that these wooden clappers are based off of narrow tablets made from bamboo, jade, ivory, or shark’s skin known as hù (笏) carried by Chinese officials as authorisation for entrance to the imperial palace, the substance these narrow tablets were made of was dependent on the rank of the Chinese official carrying them.[50][51][52]
Wooden clappers were also associated with one of the eighth immortals, Cao Guojiu (曹國舅).
Rooster
(Cock)		 公雞 公鸡 Gōng jī Frightening demons and bogies.
Good luck.
Intelligence and fame.
The rooster is one of the twelve animals that are represented as Chinese zodiacs.
The five virtues (五德).		 The second Hanzi character in the Mandarin Chinese word for "cock" (公雞, gōng jī) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "auspicious" or "lucky" (吉, jí).
Cocks symbolize a high rank because their combs look like the hats of a Mandarin.[53]
The Mandarin Chinese term for a "crowing cock" (公鳴, gōng míng) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese term for "intelligence and fame" (功名, gōng míng).
Cocks symbolises the five virtues because its comb makes it resemble a Mandarin (civil); its spurs (martial); how the cock conducts itself during combat (courage); cocks protect their hens (kindness), and cocks are very accurate in heralding the dawn.[54]
Ruyi scepter 如意 如意 Rúyì Power and authority.
Good wishes and prosperity.
The Ruyi scepter is one of the Chinese eight treasures.		 The Ruyi scepter in Buddhism and Chinese mythology can grant wishes.[55][56]

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Known as "shrimp" in American English.

References[edit]

  1. ^ Chinasage – Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Onion 葱头 cōng tóu. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  2. ^ Chinasage – Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Orange 橘 jú. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  3. ^ Chinasage – Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Orchid 兰 lán. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  4. ^ "The Symbolic Meanings of Flowers in China". Char4u. 28 August 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  5. ^ "Meaning and Symbolism of Orchid - Kali ni malas pulak nak translate ke bahasa Melayu..jadi sudi-sudikan baca." Zulkifli at OrchidCraze (All things orchid..macam-macam ada..). 26 December 2011. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  6. ^ "The Orchid and Confucius". AsiaSentinel (Multiple awards fr excellence in Asian journalism). 6 February 2008. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  7. ^ Chinasage – Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Cinnamon 桂 guì. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  8. ^ Gotheborg – Osmanthus fragrans – flower by Jan-Erik Nilsson. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  9. ^ Vision Times ("All eyes on China") – 10 of the Most Famous Flowers in China. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  10. ^ China Sage Animal symbolism in Chinese art 兽 shòu § Ox 牛 niú. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  11. ^ Michael Loewe (31 December 1994). Ways to paradise: the Chinese quest for immortality. SMC Pub. p. 95. ISBN 978-957-638-183-6. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  12. ^ Chinasage – Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Peach 桃 táo. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  13. ^ Chinasage – Bird symbolism in Chinese art 鸟 niǎo § Peacock 孔雀 kǒng què. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  14. ^ Nations Online – Peacock (Chinese: 孔雀; pinyin: kǒng què; zoological name: Pavo). Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  15. ^ "The Girl with the Peanut Necklace: Experiences of Infertility and in vitro Fertilization in China". By Ruoxi Yu at Yale University EliScholar – A Digital Platform for Scholarly Publishing at Yale (Student Work Council on East Asian Studies). 24 April 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  16. ^ Flowermeaning.com – The Peony Flower, Its Meanings and Symbolism. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  17. ^ Christie’s (Say it with flowers: An expert guide to the symbolism of Chinese ceramic decoration) – Peonies, jasmine, chrysanthemums and other flowers are loaded with meaning in Chinese art. With the aid of a selection of exceptional pieces — offered in London on 15 May — Chinese Ceramics specialist Katie Lundie peels back the layers. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  18. ^ Chinasage - Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Persimmon 柿 shì. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  19. ^ HSK Academy – 柿 meaning and pronunciation. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  20. ^ Carter, Dagny. 1972. Chinese Magnificence. Five Thousand Years of Chinese Art. (Reprint of 1935 ed.) Greenwood Press, Westport, Conn. XI + 255 pp.
  21. ^ Chou, Io. 1980. A History of Chinese Entomology. Printed by Entomotaxonomia, Wugong, Shaanxi, China. VI + 215 pp. (In Chinese with English and Esperanto summeries.)
  22. ^ "Land Totems, Personal Observations, Symbolic Tips, Symbolism - All - Symbolic Meaning of Pigs". Symbolic-Meanings.com Blog by Avia Venefica of Whats-Your-Sign.com. 3 November 2007. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  23. ^ Chinasage Animal symbolism in Chinese art 兽 shòu § Pig 猪 zhū. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  24. ^ Carter, Dagny. 1948. Four Thousand Years of Chinese Art. The Ronald Press Co., New York. XIX + 358 pp.
  25. ^ Carter, Dagny. 1957. The Symbol of the Beast. The Animal-Style Art of Eurasia. The Ronald Press Co., New York. XI + 204 pp.
  26. ^ Chinasage Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Pine 松 sōng. Retrieved: 13 July 2018.
  27. ^ "Pine Trees: Meanings and Culture of the Great Evergreen". truefaith7 (Owlcation). 11 January 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  28. ^ Chinasage Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Plum 梅 méi. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  29. ^ Princeton University Art Museum - Three Friends: Pine, Bamboo, and Plum. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  30. ^ Chinasage Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ § Pomegranate 石榴 shí liu. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  31. ^ "Fritters That Will Make You Laugh Like A Happy Shrimp! 喜虾大笑!". The Bonding Tool (The power of food as a bonding tool – use it to create a meaningful relationship!). 10 February 2017. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  32. ^ Projectpartner.org [https://projectpartner.org/chinese-culture/8-traditional-chinese-new-year-foods/ Chinese Culture 8 Traditional Chinese New Year Foods]. Retrieved: 26 June 2018.
  33. ^ "Chinese Shrimp Paintings". CNArtGallery for the Chinese Painting Blog (Artisoo – Bring Chinese Culture to the World). 28 June 2013. Retrieved 26 June 2018.
  34. ^ Chinasage Dragons § Qilin. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  35. ^ Chinasage Animal symbolism in Chinese art 兽 shòu § Unicorn 骐麟 qí lín. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  36. ^ Unicorns Rule (The Website of Unicorn Lovers) – The Chinese Unicorn “Quilin”. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  37. ^ "What Is a Qilin?". Kallie Szczepanski (ThoughtCo.). 5 September 2017. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  38. ^ "The gentle and benevolent Qilin of Chinese mythology". DHWTY (Ancient Origins – Reconstructing the story of humanity’s past ). 3 August 2014. Retrieved 12 July 2018.
  39. ^ China Sage Bird symbolism in Chinese art 鸟 niǎo § Quail 鹌鹑 ān chún. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  40. ^ China Sage Animal symbolism in Chinese art 兽 shòu § Hare 兔子 tù zi. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  41. ^ Fontein, Jan and Tung Wu. 1973. Unearthing China’s Past. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. 239pp.
  42. ^ Grousset, Rene. 1959. Chinese Art and Culture. (Trans. from French by Haakon Chevalier.) Grove Press, Ney York. XXII + 331 pp.
  43. ^ Hearn, Lafcadio. 1971. Shadowings. Charles E. Tuttle Co., Inc., Rutland and Tokyo. X + 268 pp. (First Ed. 1900 by Little, Browm & Co., Boston.)
  44. ^ China Sage Animal symbolism in Chinese art 兽 shòu § Rat 大鼠 dà shǔ. Retrieved: 12 July 2018.
  45. ^ HSK Acadamy 生 meaning and pronunciation § Characters with the same pronunciation. Retrieved: 11 July 2018.
  46. ^ HSK Acadamy 笙 meaning and pronunciation § Characters with the same pronunciation. Retrieved: 11 July 2018.
  47. ^ Ghoteborg.com Eight Precious Things (Babao) by Jan-Brik Nilsson. Retrieved: 11 July 2018.
  48. ^ Ghoteborg.com The Hundred Antiques (Hundred Treasures) by Jan-Brik Nilsson. Retrieved: 11 July 2018.
  49. ^ China Sage Colors in Chinese art 色 sè § Red 红 hóng. Quote: “In ancient days the character 色 sè was also used as a word for conjugal sex as in Confucius's dictum ‘Eating and sex are given by nature’.” and “Red is the color of joy and celebration and is the lucky color.” Retrieved: 10 July 2018.
  50. ^ 《舊唐書‧張九齡傳》記載︰"故事︰皆搢笏於帶，而後乘馬，九齡體羸，常使人持之，因設笏囊。" (in Mandarin Chinese).
  51. ^ 《云仙杂记·笏囊笏架》：" 会昌以来，宰相朝则有笏架，入禁中，逐门传送至殿前，朝罢则置于架上。百寮则各有笏囊，亲吏持之。 (in Mandarin Chinese).
  52. ^ 《正字通》上載︰"明制，笏，四品以上用象牙，五品以下用木。" (in Mandarin Chinese).
  53. ^ China Sage Bird symbolism in Chinese art 鸟 niǎo § Cockerel 公鸡 gōng jī. Retrieved: 10 July 2018.
  54. ^ "The Symbolism of the Rooster". Posted by India North. Article By M.A. Carrillo de Albornoz & M.A. Fernández (New Acropolis – International Organization). 22 September 2014. Retrieved 10 July 2018.
  55. ^ Laufer, Berthold. 1974. Jade. A study in Chinese Archaeology and Religion. Dover Publs., New York. (First publ. in 1912 as Fieldiana: Anthropology, v. 10.) XIV + 370 pp. + 68 pls.
  56. ^ CITS Ruyi, According to Your Wishes. Retrieved: 09 July 2018.

Standard source[edit]

July 2018.

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June 2018.

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