Chinese culture is rich with symbolism. Chinese characters and icons have deep cultural meanings and connotations. Over China’s long history, certain symbols have become imbued with power and significance. These symbols continue to influence Chinese culture and tradition today.
Dragon
The dragon is undoubtedly one of the most important and powerful symbols in Chinese culture. The Chinese dragon is a mythical creature that brings power, strength and good luck. It is a symbol of the Chinese emperor as well as power and excellence.
The Chinese dragon has a serpentine body, four legs, horns, claws, and a flowing mane. Unlike Western dragons, Chinese dragons are benevolent creatures that bring rain, prosperity and good fortune. The dragon shape integrates components from various animals including the scales of a carp, head of a camel, horns of a giant stag, eyes of a demon, ears like a bull, the belly of a clam, paws of a tiger, and claws of an eagle.
The dragon was a symbol reserved only for emperors during imperial China. The emperor sat on the dragon throne and his robes were embroidered with dragon motifs. During festivities, people danced dragons made from silk and bamboo. The dragon dance represents the dragon bringing good luck.
The dragon appears in many famous legends and folktales. It represents yang energy and is one of the four important mythological creatures along with the phoenix, tiger and turtle. The dragon remains an important part of festivals, art, names and brand identities in modern China.
Phoenix
The phoenix is a mythological bird that plays an important role in Chinese culture. It is a symbol of grace, luck and happiness. Often portrayed alongside the dragon, the phoenix represents yin energy in contrast to the dragon’s yang.
The Chinese phoenix has colorful plumage, the beak of a rooster, the face of a swallow, the forehead of a fowl, the neck of a snake, and the back of a tortoise. It has a beautiful five-colored tail representing the five virtues of mercy, propriety, sincerity, wisdom and justice.
The phoenix only appears in peaceful times when there is prosperity and benevolent leadership. It was a symbol for the Chinese empress and was embroidered on her robes. Phoenix iconography could be found throughout the imperial palace.
Chinese legends tell that the phoenix never dies and it periodically bursts into flames to regenerate itself. It represents fire, the sun, justice, obedience and fidelity. Because it is reborn from its own ashes, the phoenix symbolizes virtue, renewal and resurrection.
Yin Yang
The classic yin-yang symbol depicts the complementary nature of opposite forces in the universe. Yin is associated with darkness, passivity and femininity. Yang represents light, activity and masculinity.
The circular symbol shows the two forces interconnected and flowing into each other. While they are opposite, they are both essential. This represents the concept of duality – that seemingly opposite forces may be interconnected and interdependent.
The Yin Yang philosophy had a strong influence on ancient Chinese science and culture. It continues to influence Chinese medicine, martial arts, navigation and divination. The philosophy represents balance through opposing halves and how everything contains its opposite in synchronized chaos.
Bagua
The bagua is an octagonal diagram associated with Taoist cosmology. The eight trigrams surrounding the circle represent the interactions between the physical and metaphysical universe. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, the bagua diagram is linked to health and healing.
Each gua (trigram) corresponds to a compass direction, family relationship, element, color, ancestor, body organ, and aspect of life. The Lo (river) gua corresponds to North, water, and the kidneys. The Kun (earth) gua corresponds to Southwest, the color yellow, the stomach and digestion.
In feng shui, the bagua map is used to analyze how energy flows through a space. The goal is to achieve balance by properly aligning and arranging your surroundings. This brings health, harmony and good fortune.
Lotus
Native to Asia, the lotus flower carries deep symbolic meaning in many Asian cultures. The lotus is known for growing in muddy waters yet producing pure, beautiful flowers above the surface. For this reason, the lotus represents purity, rebirth and rising above difficulty with grace.
In Chinese culture, the lotus is considered one of the four noble plants along with plum, orchid and chrysanthemum. It is the flower associated with summer and represents the noble man who rises above the swamp of materialism and remains unstained by the mud and filth.
Lotus seeds and roots are used in traditional Chinese medicine and cuisine. The Buddha is often portrayed sitting on a lotus throne or holding a lotus flower. The lotus remains an important symbol of purity and enlightenment.
Bamboo
The strong, versatile bamboo plant symbolizes several desirable qualities in Chinese culture. Bamboo represents strength, flexibility, longevity and humility. The hollow stem symbolizes an open and modest heart.
Bamboo has many uses including building construction, furniture, utensils, writing surfaces and decoration. It is resilient and survives severe storms and other difficult conditions. For this reason, bamboo also represents resilience, durability and perseverance.
Bamboo forests were the ideal place for ancient Chinese poets and intellectuals to find inspiration. Bamboo groves represented the strength and integrity of the gentlemen scholar who persevered to uphold moral principles.
Numbers
Numbers hold great symbolic significance in Chinese culture. Certain numbers are considered auspicious or inauspicious based on how their Chinese names sound similar to other positive or negative words.
The numbers 1, 2, 3, 6, 8, 9 are generally considered lucky. The number 4 is unlucky since it sounds similar to the word for “death”. The number 7 is also considered unlucky based on the association with the seven emotions that cause suffering according to Buddhist teachings.
Chinese numerology has many superstitions and cultural traditions involving numbers. Given the importance of numbers, addresses, phone numbers, license plates and other numbers are carefully chosen to be lucky.
Colors
Colors have symbolic associations in Chinese culture that are reflected in artwork, clothing, decorations and customs.
| Color | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Red | Luck, happiness, prosperity |
| Yellow | Royalty, nobility |
| Blue | Healing, calmness, tranquility |
| Green | Harmony, growth, vitality |
| White | Death, purity, nobility |
| Black | Power, mystery, water |
Red symbolizes luck, joy, and happiness. It is commonly worn at Chinese New Year and weddings. Yellow is the color of royalty and was reserved for the emperor. White represents mourning and death while black is associated with water and mystery.
Fenghuang
The fenghuang is the Chinese mythological bird representing yang (male) forces and associated with the empress. It is combined with the Chinese phoenix which represents yin (female) forces.
The fenghuang has a colorful plumage including the five fundamental colors – black, white, red, green, and yellow. It has a melodious call and depicts fire, the sun, justice, and obedience.
According to legend, the bird mates for life and if one dies, the other stops eating until it dies too. As a powerful symbol of fidelity, it appears on wedding decorations and attire. Along with the dragon and phoenix, the fenghuang is considered one of the 3 most sacred animals.
Twelve Symbols of Sovereignty
The Twelve Symbols of Sovereignty were twelve objects that represented imperial authority and served as imperial emblems of the Emperor of China. They were important symbols of power during the later imperial periods.
The twelve symbols included:
- Sun
- Moon
- Constellation
- Mountain
- Dragon
- Pheasant
- Pair of fish
- Grain
- Flaming pearl
- Waterweed
- Axe
- Fu symbol
These symbols appeared on the emperor’s robes as well as on imperial seals and architecture. They represented the emperor’s divine power and absolute authority.
Conclusion
Chinese culture is rich with meaningful symbols that continue to hold power and importance. The dragon, phoenix, lotus flower, and bamboo represent qualities such as strength, purity, grace and resilience. Colors and numbers also have auspicious meanings.
Powerful symbols like the Twelve Symbols of Sovereignty and fenghuang bird were linked to imperial China. Yin yang philosophy and bagua diagrams continue to influence Chinese science, medicine and divination.
By understanding these impactful symbols, we gain insight into enduring Chinese cultural values, mythology, cosmology and imperial history. Their longevity is a testament to the deep meaning they hold in Chinese traditions.
