Animal forms have influenced visual cultures for thousands of years. Whether they are composed in paint, porcelain, textiles or ink, these auspicious creatures can provide significant symbolic influence through their legend, allegory and name. In Chinese art, animals are often a central part of the composition due to their societal connotations and duel linguistic meaning.
Above: a vast selection of Chinese arts and crafts featuring animals
From the Song to Qing dynasties, animals they can be found on a wide range of Chinese art and artefacts. In this article we will explore some of the most popular animals found within ceramics, prints and paintings, investigating their cultural and metaphorical meaning. If you have a damaged item of Chinese art that requires professional care, please contact us using the details at the end of this page and we will happily offer restoration advice.
Above: a jade Liao dynasty deer ornament, a Qing dynasty Theatrical Robe featuring bats, and a bronze Zhou Dynasty tiger
Bats
In Chinese culture, the character 福 or “fú” is symbolic of good luck and joy. The word for bat is 蝠 and is also pronounced “fú” – allowing the word and the animal itself to have an important duel meaning. This is a typical feature in Chinese art as the small range of syllables and tones of old Chinese writing result in many homophones.
Above: a selection of Chinese objects featuring bats in their design, from left to right – a red Qing dynasty dish, an early 20th century ochre bowl, a peach shaped Qing dynasty brush washer, a Jingdezhen covered bowl, a chalcedony snuff bottle, a porcelain Qianlong bottle, a Qing dynasty glass snuff bottle, and Yongzheng period dish
Bats as a symbol of good luck combine easily with a wish for good health and immortality due to their use in medicine, you will often see them in combination with peaches and other allegorical signs of longevity. They may also appear within clouds as a sign of this heavenly gift. As longevity forms part of ‘the five signs of a good life’ or ‘five blessings’ you may find that bats appear in a group of five to encourage this message. Bats upside down depict blessings that have already arrived.
Above: three porcelain dishes featuring bats, from left to right – a Famille rose style Guangxu period plate, a Yongzheng period Lan Caihe saucer and a Kangxi period plate with bats around the rim
Magpie
The magpie bird, also known as “xique” 喜鵲 has the first character from the word for happiness “xi” 喜 – creating a symbol of joy. If they are alongside spring flowers, this may be a sign of happiness for new life. If a magpie is seen on a plum blossom, it encourages the homophone “xi shang mei shao” meaning the delightful phrase “happiness up to your eyebrows.”
Above: magpies on a Ming dynasty dish, a carved red lacquer Ming dynasty box, and a Yuan dynasty mother of pearl plate
Monkey
As well as being one of the animals of the Chinese zodiac, monkeys are a popular animal in many forms of Chinese culture. They are seen as intelligent and often used visually for their close similarity to humans. Their zodiac characteristics are a mixture of lively intelligence combined with a self-centred approach to life.
Above: from left to right – a Eastern Han dynasty zodiac monkey statue, a Qing dynasty plate, and a porcelain Qing dynasty zodiac monkey figurine
These dynamic animals may also be seen as shapeshifters, with some seen as demons and others as spiritual beings with a religious ambition. In many compositions the monkey may be reaching for peaches of immortality, resembling the human wish for a long life.
Monkeys have a close connection to noble titles, as their character is pronounced the same as the word for marquis. This results in visual puns, for example – a monkey and a horse may be read as “bestowing your noble title swiftly” because the word for horseback is pronounced the same as the word ‘immediate’.
Above: from left to right – a Ming dynasty jade figurine of a horse and monkey, a Qing Dynasty agate snuff bottle, a Qing dynasty nephrite brush pot, and a a Qing dynasty nephrite figurine of a monkey holding peaches
Gibbon
Gibbons are a common feature in Chinese paintings as they have strong poetic and religious connections. In Daoism, gibbons hold a sense of immortal transcendence. White gibbons in particular had a supernatural status to them and there was sometimes a clear difference in symbolism between the ‘sage gentleman’ gibbon and the inferior macaque species.
Above: a detail from a Southern Song dynasty fan painting entitled ‘gibbons raiding an egret nest’ or ‘a triple first gains power’
Like other animals, their name is also an homophone that can be used to create visual puns. Above is an example that displays gibbons raiding an egret’s nest, translated to “san yuan de lu” it may also read as “a triple first gains power” – this is a hint towards success in the three level imperial examinations.
Tiger
Defensive skill, bravery and positive energy are all connected to the tiger in Chinese art and mythology. The word for tiger is a homophone for the phrase ‘to protect’ and so they may be combined with calligraphy and military gifts. In the zodiac, tigers are seen as the ruler of other beasts, born to command rather than to obey orders.
Above: from left to right – an embroidered Qing dynasty rank badge, a Chongzhen period brush holder, a tiger shaped silhouette puppet, a clothing ornament with the face of a tiger, and a tiger shaped Yuan dynasty headrest
Tigers are also thought to detract demons with their sense of fierce authority. This is why they are often found on clothing, doorways and household items such as a headrest, keeping the owner safe as they sleep. Their presence is also there to assist in warding off house fires, spirits and unwelcome intruders.
Deer
The word for deer 鹿 is a homophone for prosperity 祿 or great fortune. Therefore a group of deer provides a direct wish for power and good luck. This can be combined with other animals and their own dual-meaning names to provide a pictorial pun. You may also find One Hundred Deer designs (seen below on the far left). The pronunciation of “one hundred deer” is the same as a reference to the benefits acquired through official careers.
Above: from left to right – a Qing dynasty hundred deer vase, a decorative cloisonné disc featuring deer and cranes, and a phoenixtail vase
Rabbit
Rabbits are thought to be the luckiest animal in the Chinese zodiac, this combined with their agility and sharp intelligence has made them a desirable allegory across all forms of art and literature. During the Ming dynasty, clay rabbit sculptures known as the ‘Rabbit Master’ were created for Beijing’s mid-autumn festival and are still produced today.
Above: from left to right – a Ming dynasty Tianqi period dish designed for the Japanese market, a Qing Dynasty fan illustration, a Yuan dynasty jade figurine, and a Ming dynasty vase
Rabbits have a connection to the moon, as ancient Chinese astronomy suggested that the shadows on the surface are in their shape. This produced a legend of the Jade Rabbit, a deity who lived on the moon, spending his life grinding an elixir to grant immortality. The rabbit is often shown alongside Chang’e, the Moon Goddess.
Above: from left to right – a Yongzheng period dish depicting a scene from Prayers to the Moon, Qing dynasty Turquoise figurine of the moon goddess Chang’e, stoneware Song dynasty dish, Tang dynasty rabbit statue, and a Qing-dynasty statuette
Duck
As they mate for life, pairs of mandarin ducks – also known as “yuanyang” – display a strong romantic connotation. They have such a quality of marital fidelity that they are a very popular feature for objects and paintings intended to be wedding gifts.
Above: a silk painting featuring Mandarin ducks, before and after restoration by our team
Crane
Cranes are one of the most important animals in Chinese culture and art, depicting a create that can pass between heaven and earth. Due to this, they may be associated with carrying souls and enlightenment after death. They are also used as transport by deities such as the Eight Immortals. Due to these associations, cranes are closely tied to a sense of elegance, importance, longevity and moral integrity.
Above: from left to right – Qing dynasty jade carving, painted silk folding fan, jade figurine of two cranes holding peaches, Song dynasty brush rest in the shape of two cranes, and Yuan dynasty longquan ware dish
Fish
The word for fish has a dual meaning with abundance, so they easily symbolise wealth and prosperity. Because fish can reproduce fairly quickly, it can also be regarded as a sign of wealth that quickly multiplies and a sense of commerce that moves with great energy. Fish are also seen as harmonious and in pairs may be seen as a good marriage. A kingfisher bird is a symbol of feminine beauty, so their presence hunting fish may be interpreted as a woman’s beauty swiftly leading to prosperous marriage.
Above: from left to right – Kangxi period saucer, painted hair crystal and coral snuff bottle, peking glass snuff bottle, and Qing dynasty dish with a kingfisher above a pond
How can we help?
If you have any questions about art restoration and conservation, please do not hesitate to get in touch. As part of our service we offer a nationwide collection and delivery service as well as information on worldwide shipping to our studio. E-mail us via info@fineart-restoration.com or call 0207 112 7576 for more information.
