User:Donald Trung/Implied meanings of Chinese numismatic charms/The Letters T, U, V, W, X, Y, and Z

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Symbol Traditional Chinese Simplified Chinese Pinyin Implied or hidden meaning Origin of the association Exemplary image
Taijitu
(Yin and Yang symbol)[a]		 太極圖 太极图 Tàijítú The light and the dark, the strong and the weak, the male and the female, Etc. The taijitu is a Taoist symbol that symbolises the basic polarities of the universe.[1][2]
Teapot
(or sometimes simply a pot)		 壺 壶 Hú Protection.
Blessings.		 The Mandarin Chinese word for "teapot" or simply "pot" (壺, hú) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese words for "blessing" (祜, hù) and "to protect" (護, hù).
Ten Symbols of Longevity[b] 十壽 十寿 Shí shòu The Ten Symbols of Longevity are:
1. The pine tree (松);
2. The sun (日);
3. The crane (鹤);
4. Water (水);
5. The mountains (山);
6. The clouds (雲);
7. The deer (鹿);
8. The tortoise (龜);
9. The Lingzhi mushroom (靈芝);
10. Bamboo (竹).[3][4][5]		 The Ten Symbols of Longevity are all symbols that the ancient Chinese people associated with longevity, the Ten Symbols of Longevity are also very common symbols on Korean art including Korean numismatic charms.
Three Abundances[c] 三多 三多 Sān duō The Three Abundances are:
1. The peach (which represents longevity);
2. The pomegranate (which represents progeny or descendants);
3. The Buddha's hand (representing longevity and happiness).		 The three plenties are three symbols that the ancient Chinese people saw as being auspicious.[6][7]
Three Friends of Winter 歲寒三友 岁寒三友 Suìhán sānyǒu The three friends of winter are:
1. Bamboo;
2. The pine tree;
3. The plum tree.
Steadfastness, perseverance, and resilience.
The scholar-gentleman's ideal in Confucianism.		 The three friends of winter are three plants that grow in the winter despite the harsh weather conditions.[8][9][10]
Three Many 福壽三多 福寿三多 Fú shòu sān duō The three many are the desires for:
1. Happiness;
2. Longevity;
3. Descendants.		 The three many are three things the ancient Chinese people thought were desirable and auspicious to acquire.[11]
Three Rounds 三圓 三圆 Sān yuán The "three rounds" could be depicted as any grouping of 3 round items, when these are placed together they get the implied meaning of "high rank". The Mandarin Chinese word for "round" (圓, yuán) is a homophonic pun with the word "first" (元, yuán), which in this context refers to getting the highest score and becoming the number one scholarly official to pass the imperial Chinese examination system. The number three in this context could then refer to the three stages of the imperial exams and that one would come first in all three rounds of them.
Tiger[d] 虎 虎 Hǔ The Chinese zodiac "tiger".
Protection from evil spirits and misfortune as well as heroism.
Longevity.		 The tiger is considered to be the ruler of all land animals in Chinese tradition, while the dragon is considered to be the ruler of all sky animals and those in the heavens.
The tiger is one of the animals represented as one of the twelve Chinese zodiacs.
The Mandarin Chinese word for "tiger" (虎, hǔ) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "to protect" (護, hù).
Tigers are also associated with protection because they are the guardian spirit of agriculture and the ancient Chinese believed that the tiger could devour "the demon of drought", due to their strength they were also seen as heroic.
Tigers are sometimes included as a member of the Chinese Five Poisons.
Tigers are associated with longevity because the ancient Chinese believed that their hair turned white after five centuries and that they could live up to a millennium.[12][13]
Caishen is sometimes depicted using a tiger as a mode of transportation.
Further reading: Tiger in Chinese culture.
Toad 蟾蜍 / 蟾 蟾蜍 / 蟾 Chán chú / Chán Coins and wealth. In some Chinese languages their word for toad (蟾) sounds like their word for "coin" or "money" (錢).
Tortoise 龜 龟 Guī Longevity.
The magnetic north and the season of winter.
Endurance and physical strength.
The divine and divinity.		 Tortoises are associated with longevity because they live very long.
Tortoises are associated with divinity because the ancient Chinese believed that the universe was round and had an outer shell shaped like a dome which was akin to what the ancient Chinese believed to be the vault of heaven, the lower body of a tortoise is flat like the ancient Chinese believed the earth to be.
Treasure bowl[e] 聚寶盆 聚宝盆 Jù bǎo pén Wealth. The the "treasure bowl" is a mythical object that can infinitely reproduce an object placed inside of it, for example if one were to place a golden cash coin inside the bowl the "treasure bowl" will then all of the sudden be completely filled with golden cash coins.[14]
Twelve Ornaments[f] 十二章 十二章 Shí'èr zhāng The Chinese twelve ornaments include:[15]
1. The sun (日), which symbolises enlightenment and is the source of life. Sometimes the sun is represented as
2. The moon (月), which symbolises the passive principle of yin, the moon is sometimes represented as the moon hare.
3. The Constellation of Three Stars (星辰), which symbolises that the Emperor of China represents the entire universe as an unending source of pardon and love.
4. The mountain (山), the mountain symbolises the Emperor of China's ability to rule the world and stability as well as the Wu Xing element of "earth".
5. The (five-clawed) dragon (龍), which symbolises the Emperor of China's dignity and authority, the dragon also represents all animals and beasts.
6. The pheasant (華蟲), symbolises literary refinement and birds.
7. The two goblets (宗彝), symbolising filial piety and imperial loyalty as well as the Wu Xing element of "metal".
8. Seaweed (藻), which represents purity and the leadership of the Emperor of China, it also represents the Wu Xing element of "water".
9. Rice grain (粉米), which symbolises prosperity and fertility, it also represents the Wu Xing element of "wood".
10. Fire (火), fire symbolises intellectual brilliance, the summer solstice, as well as the Wu Xing element of "fire".
11. The Axe-head (黼), which symbolises Emperor of China's power to act decisively and punitively.
12. The Fu symbol (黻), the Fu symbol symbolises collaboration and the power of the Emperor of China to be able distinguishing evil from good and right from wrong. This character is also the alleged source of the Taijitu (or Yin and Yang symbol).		 According to the Zhou dynasty era Book of Rites the number twelve is also the number of Heaven, as the Emperor was considered to be "the son of heaven" twelve symbols were chosen to represent his authority.
The renowned writers Lu Xun, Qian Daosun, and Xu Shoushang from the Ministry of Education created the Twelve Symbols national emblem based on these symbols and this national emblem appeared on early coins from the Republic of China.
Vase
(or bottle)		 瓶 瓶 Píng Peace and safety.
If a vase is depicted containing a flower from every season this symbol has the implied or hidden meaning of "peace for the entire year".		 The Mandarin Chinese word for "vase" (瓶, píng) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "peace" or "safety" (平安, píng ān).[16][17][18]
Willow 柳 柳 Liǔ The life of poets and scholars.
Exorcism and "sweeping tombs" during the Qingming Festival.[19]
The parting of ways and the sorrow that follows.		 Willow trees are associated with poets and scholars who were inspired while walking among them.
Willow branches are associated with exorcism due to the fact that they were regarded as "magical" by the ancient Chinese people.
Young lads often had green willow branches placed in their hair to prevent them from being reincarnated as a brown-haired dog.
The Mandarin Chinese word for "willow" (柳, liǔ) sounds like the Mandarin Chinese word for "to part" (離, lí) which is why willow branches were given to friends and acquaintances who would depart to distant places.[20]
Writing brush and sycee 筆錠 笔锭 Bǐ dìng The hope that everything will go as you wish. The Mandarin Chinese words for "writing brush" (筆, bǐ) and "ingot" (錠, dìng) sound like the Mandarin Chinese term for "certainly" (必定, bì dìng).
Zhenwu 真武 真武 Zhēnwǔ Healing and protection. Zhenwu is a Taoist god associated with healing and protection.[21]
Zither[22][23] 齊特琴 齐特琴 Qí tè qín Fertility and marital harmony. "Zithers" in this context refer to Guqin and se musical instruments.
An example of a Chinese numismatic charm or amulet displaying the zither-theme would be one with an inscription that could be translated as "with the qin and the se be friendly to her" or "the qin and se zithers warm her heart" (琴瑟友之, qín sè yǒu zhī).

Notes[edit]

  1. ^ Also known as the "supreme ultimate symbol".
  2. ^ The "Ten Symbols of Longevity" are alternatively known as the "Ten Longevities" (十壽) in Chinese mythology.
  3. ^ They are alternatively known as "the Three Plenties".
  4. ^ Sometimes depicted as a leopard.
  5. ^ Alternatively referred to as the "treasure basin" in the English language.
  6. ^ These twelve symbols are alternatively called as the "Twelve Symbols of Imperial Authority" or the "Twelve Imperial Symbols" (十二章紋) in the English language.

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Yin and Yang: The Supreme Ultimate". Dale’s Korean Temple Adventures. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  2. ^ "A Legendary Symbol Born from Chaos: The Philosophy of Yin and Yang". Kerry Sulivan (Ancient-Origins.net). 4 November 2017. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  3. ^ Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (University of Oregon) Ten Symbols of Longevity and Late Joseon Korean Culture. On exhibition from April 01, 2014 to June 28, 2015. Retrieved: 04 July 2018.
  4. ^ Stanford Libraries The ten symbols of longevity : shipjangsaengdo : an important Korean folding screen in the collection of the Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art at the University of Oregon. Retrieved: 04 July 2018.
  5. ^ The Ten Symbols of Longevity (Collection in Context) by Richard Gherke. Publication date: August 25, 2006. ISBN-10 0295986573. ISBN-13 978-0295986579.
  6. ^ "The Three Abundances". Amy Huang (Shape of Good Fortune - A student curated exhibition on Chinese auspicious images). 20 January 2012. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  7. ^ "rare Ming-style blue and white 'three abundances' soft-paste vase, meiping". 12 May 2016. Retrieved 4 July 2018.
  8. ^ "Three Friends of Winter". Colby College. Retrieved 10 August 2011.
  9. ^ "Cultivating Virtue: Botanical Motifs and Symbols in East Asian Art". Harvard Art Museums. Retrieved 11 August 2011.
  10. ^ Dusenbury, Mary (2004). Flowers, dragons and pine trees: Asian textiles in the Spencer Museum of Art (Bier, Carol; Foresman, Helen ed.). New York: Hudson Hills Press. p. 248. ISBN 978-1-55595-238-9.
  11. ^ Patricia Bjaaland Welch, Chinese Art : A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery (North Clarendon, VT: Tuttle Pub., 2008), 49.
  12. ^ "Chinese Tiger in Painting and Its Symbolic Meaning". CNArtGallery at the Chinese Paintings Blog (Artisoo Paintings – Bring Chinese culture to the world). 13 March 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  13. ^ "Tigers In Culture And Folklore". Amelia Meyer (Tigers – The most majestic cats in the world). 2013. Retrieved 3 July 2018.
  14. ^ Baidu Baike 聚宝盆 (jù bǎo pén) 中国民间传说中宝物. Retrieved: 03 July 2018. (in Mandarin Chinese)
  15. ^ Nations Online Twelve Symbols of Sovereignty - The Twelve Symbols of Sovereignty (十二章紋) representing Chinese imperial authority appeared on the five-clawed dragon robes (Traditional Chinese: 龍袍 Chinese: 龙袍 lóng páo) of the emperor since the Western Zhou Dynasty (1050-771 B.C.). Navigation: Home - Earth - Continents - Asia - Thailand / China - Chinese New Year Photos - Chinese Customs and Traditions Glossary - Symbols of Sovereignty. Retrieved: 27 June 2018.
  16. ^ Asianart.com Hidden Meanings: Symbolism in Chinese Art by Gary Gach. Published: November 29, 2006. The exhibition Hidden Meanings: Symbolism in Chinese Art runs until Dec. 31 at the Asian Art Museum, San Francisco. It will be featured in the Exhibitions section of Asianart.com soon. Retrieved: 03 July 2018.
  17. ^ Government of Australia Imperial robe - CHINESE Portrait of an official Ming dynasty 1368–1644 China pigments and ink on silk 136.0 x 91.5 cm Felton Bequest, 1946 (1028-D4). Retrieved: 03 July 2018.
  18. ^ Government of Australia Imperial robe see DVD for additional material - 吉服 jifu Emperor’s semi- formal court robe - 蝠 fu bat - 福 fu happiness. Retrieved: 03 July 2018.
  19. ^ Travel China Guide Qingming Festival (Tomb-sweeping Day). Retrieved: 03 July 2018.
  20. ^ China Sage Willow 柳 liǔ (Flower and Fruit symbolism in Chinese art 花朵 huā duǒ). Retrieved: 03 July 2018.
  21. ^ Academia.edu Ming Imperial Patronage of the Wudang Mountains and the Daoist God Zhenwu. Uploaded by Noelle Giuffrida. Retrieved: 01 July 2018.
  22. ^ Cite error: The named reference Primaltrek-Zithers-and-Grasshoppers was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  23. ^ Artxun 琴瑟友之. Retrieved: 01 July 2018.

Standard source[edit]

July 2018.

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June 2018.

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