There is a Chinese saying, "Each pattern must have a meaning, and this has to have something to do with luck and harmony". The selected patterns in this book all have deep roots in Chinese folklore and history. The phoenix symbol, door gods, paper-cuts and xiying patterns have been popular decorative arts that signify luck, blessings, happiness and other auspicious wishes. To give these special patterns contemporary retevance, the patterns have been adapted, recreated and refined with Adobe Illustrator and kept in a vector format, and can be easity used by designers of any discipline, be it fashion, textile, graphic or interior design.

Talk about Chinese culture and images of dragon boats, lion dances, red packets and mandarin oranges readily come to mind. Their common thread is that they are all considered auspicious symbols by the Chinese. This charmingly illustrated book takes you on a journey of discovery of many others: * Animals: Phoenix, tortoise, tiger, bat, toad, spider, deer, elephant, horse, crane, carp, goldfish and others. * Plants: Pine, bamboo, plum peony, peach, orchid, chrysanthemum, pomegranate, gourd and others. * Objects: Treasure bowl, money tree, copper coin, ruyi, mirror, seal, Chinese knot and 'tower of wisdom'. * Home items: New year couplets, dumpling, glutinous rice ball, fish, chopsticks, longevity noodles and others. * Words: Happiness, wealth, longevity, Eight Immortals, combined characters, auspicious numbers and greetings. Understanding the appeal of these symbols will help you to appreciate the arts and crafts displayed in Chinese homes and workplaces.

This fascinating and readable book is an exploration of Chinese culture as it appears in art. Chinese porcelains decorated with peaches and ats…textiles boldly printed with a phoenix and peony pattern…furniture carved with dragons amid the coulds…These popular patterns are beautiful and eye-catching—but what do these art symbols mean? Each expresses a wish for fortune, whether that represents prosperity, health, luck or happiness. In China, decorating with auspicious patterns dates back thousands of years, and remains popular today. It has strong ties with tradition, and provides insight into Chinese philosophies about nature, religion, morality and government. Symbols invoking fortune appear in a wide range of media, from porcelains to furniture to architectural decoration, among many others. This Chinese art book examines traditional auspicious patterns featuring animals, plants, figures, objects and symbols, as well as those that combine motifs from different categories. You will discover how to decode this intricate world of Chinese symbolism by exploring the history, meaning and use of many common patterns. In fact, learning this "visual language" will provide a new level of appreciation not only for China's remarkable decorative arts but also its profound traditional culture.

284 Chinese motifs — flowers and plants, animal life, and more. 100 plates.

With clear, readable explanations, this Chinese art history book provides a visual insight into the very rich history of Chinese sybbolism. Can decorative objects increase one's wealth, happiness, or longevity? Traditionally, many Chinese have believed that they could—provided they include the appropriate auspicious symbols. In Hidden meanings in Chinese Art Asian Art Museum Curator Terese Tse Bartholomew, culminating decades of research, has provided a thorough guide to such symbols. Auspicious symbols in Chinese art are often in the form of rebuses—visual puns. Because many words in Chinese share the same pronunciation, there is a wealth of opportunities for such punning, and over the centuries many rebuses have developed established meanings. Should one give a clock as a gift? Certainly not! "To give a clock" songzhong is a pun for "a last farewell," in other words, for attending a person who is on the edge o death. Why is a pot of philodendrons an appropriate gift for someone opening a new store or restaurant? In America the philodendron serves as a substitute for a Chinese plant named wannianqing, or "ten thousand years green." Such a gift expresses the wish that the business will flourish for ten thousand years. Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art brings a systematic approach to the cataloguing of such hidden meanings. Richly illustrated with photos of art objects and with many original illustrations by the author, and enhanced with extensive bilingual indexes and other supporting materials, this book is an essential reference for anyone interested in exploring Chinese art and culture.

This is a new release of the original 1942 edition.

This book presents over 700 Chinese motifs, showcasing 35 outstanding works inspired by Peking Opera, Paper Cutting, Animal Motifs and Auspicious Motifs, etc. Well-known designers were invited to share their design inspiration and experience concerning Chinese motifs to offer an insight into traditional Chinese culture. CD-ROM (1. The facial make-up in Chinese opera, 2. Chinese paper cutting, 3. New year painting, 4. The auspicious pattern, 5. The animal motif, 6. Plants and flowers motif).--

In engaging text and beautiful illustration, this volume explores the five-fold symbols of happiness: luck, prosperity, longevity, happiness, and wealth. Surround yourself with lucky objects, the Chinese believe, and good fortune will come to you. In Five-Fold Happiness, Vivien Sung takes readers on a delightful and enlightening journey through this age-old concept. Drenched in color and lavishly illustrated from ancient and modern sources, it interweaves both Chinese and English text. Peaches, the number eight, the imperial color of gold, a cat with one paw beckoning, or the dragon dance—here are some of the familiar images now revealed in their rich significance. Whether readers choose to embrace these symbols in their everyday lives or simply enjoy them on these glorious pages, Five-Fold Happiness is altogether auspicious.