What was the role of Ruyi in ancient times? Why is Ruyi now just a symbol of good fortune?

When it comes to ruyi, it is a traditional craft that has been popular in China for a long time since ancient times. In history, most of the Ruyi is composed of two parts, the head and the handle, the handle part is mostly curved arch, the shape is generally the shape of Ganoderma lucidum or the shape of auspicious clouds. As the pursuit of a better life, the desire for happiness and light is the general psychology of the people, based on the name of Ruyi auspicious, so people often resort to the sound of Ruyi, in order to be satisfied with everything, everything is as good as it can be, Ruyi has long been loved by the people.

Initially, the prototype of Ruyi is what we in the north call "old man music", and the south call "not asking for people" daily necessities - itchy scratch. With the prevalence of metaphysics and Buddhism in the Wei, Jin, North and South Dynasties, in the form of retaining the original form of the itchy scratching Ruyi, began to be widely circulated in the Wei and Jin celebrities and monks and disciples, such as in the Jiangsu Province, Danyang, South Qi Jing Emperor Xiao Daosheng couple's tomb unearthed in the brick mural on the image of Ruyi. Another example is the famous painter Yan Lipen painted by the Tang Dynasty, "the emperor figure" in the Emperor Chen, dressed in the South popular recluse dress, hand play Ruyi, its Ruyi "head" for the mountain-shaped, long handle was isolated, the whole Ruyi appears to be wide.

And to the Tang Dynasty economic development and the prosperity of Buddhism, the status of Ruyi rising, not only is the emperor, the scholarly class to show that the symbols of prestige and authority, such as the "submerged in the class book": "Wenzong (Tang Wenzong Li Ang) Yan Bachelor in the inner court, the order of the Li Xun speak easy time, the square is full of summer. On the order of the ice jade belt, and summer rhinoceros Ruyi give. Said: 'Ruyi and the Secretary for the talk handle'."

And more importantly, Ruyi began to focus on the expression of Buddhist teachings, in the decorative motifs to express the religious theme of the main, jumped to become an important Buddhist dharma weapon - staff. The reason why Ruyi, which was initially used as a scratching tool, became an important Buddhist weapon has already been discussed in the article. This has been discussed in the article.

So why did Ruyi, which originally had many practical and religious functions, degenerate into an object with a single "auspicious" function?

First, the concern of Taoism for ruyi triggered the creation of the lingzhi-shaped ruyi, which laid an important foundation for later generations of ruyi to leave religion and play a purely auspicious function

There are three major religions in China, Buddhism, Confucianism, and Taoism. Buddhism as a foreign religion, in the process of spreading in China, constantly absorbing the traditional Chinese culture and religious beliefs, although it has its attack on treachery to distinguish the difficult, but in the long process of exchange, the relationship between the three religions is a mutual borrowing and integration. It can be said that, no matter what kind of religion, are to borrow the public delight in the beautiful things to spread their own teachings, to attract their own believers, so by the Buddhism as a magic weapon Ruyi, is also the Taoist palace and fasting dipping ceremonial altar commonly used in one of the magic weapon. Taoism believes that the shape of Ruyi has three points, the first and last two points for the Ganoderma lucidum shape, the central point for the round, taking the meaning of the Trinity, that is, a heart to honor the Three Jewels also. Such as the Taoist temple deity statues in the sky hold Ruyi like, fasting dip in the rituals of the high priest on behalf of the sky when teaching, also hand-held Ruyi.

Due to the Taoist concern for Ruyi, it triggered the production of Ganoderma lucidum shaped Ruyi, such as the Song painted by the "Fruit old fairy trail map": the immortal sitting in a peach tree, there are two nymphs standing around, one of the nymphs holding a Ruyi, next to the bamboo, cranes playing in the forest, and there is a Ganoderma lucidum long in the cracks of the stone, we know that in our country's folk culture, peaches, cranes, Ganoderma lucidum since ancient times is the symbol of long life, deer and Luk harmonize with the sound. We know that in Chinese folk culture, peach, crane and lingzhi have been the symbol of longevity since ancient times, and the deer resonates with Luk, and the Ruyi held by the fairy in the picture is very similar to the shape of lingzhi. Since Zhang Guolao is one of the Eight Immortals of Taoism, it is said that the creation of Lingzhi-shaped Ruyi is the result of Taoist transformation.

Ganoderma lucidum, as a rare and medicinal fungus, often called "immortal grass", in the Wei, Jin, North and South Dynasties period has been given a great deal of Taoism in the shape of the gods, was seen as a way to make people immortal, eaten with heaven and earth in the wonderful thing. For example, Ge Hong's "Hug Park Zi. Immortal medicine": "'Grass Chi' said: where this grass, and there are a hundred and twenty kinds of Chi, are dried and served, then people and heaven and earth are the same as the Bi."

And Ganoderma lucidum has also been respected by rulers throughout the ages, is regarded as a symbol of good luck, is a sign of good fortune, and even to Ganoderma lucidum labeled saintly virtues, such as the "Book of Song. Ruirui Zhi" contained: "Chi grass, the king is benevolent is born. Eating it makes the world. Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty Yuanfeng two years, Ganquan Palace produced Chi, nine stems and leaves. In the fourth year of Emperor Xuandi's Yuankang reign, the Golden Chi was produced in the Copper Pond of the Hall of Hakodate. In the spring of 17th year of Yongping of Emperor Ming of Han Dynasty, Chi was born in the former palace ...... Song from Emperor Shengming two years, Xuancheng mountains in the birth of a purple ganoderma lucidum, in what was obtained to offer."

As Ruyi is extremely similar to Lingzhi in form - both are composed of two parts, the handle and the head - and Ruyi itself is as rich in connotations as Lingzhi is, it was widely revered by the upper echelons of Song society and the prevalence of Lingzhi worship up and down the social ladder, which made Ruyi and the idea of Lingzhi as a physical entity -healthy longevity, auspicious mode of intention combined to give Ruyi longevity, auspicious meaning, so that the development of Ruyi began to bias secularization. Such as the Song people painted the "immortal rock life deer figure": the fairy holding Ruyi, accompanied by a deer, visible, traditional Chinese folk culture in the "blessing, longevity" concept has also been incorporated into the art of Ruyi modeling.

It can be said that the creation of the lingzhi-shaped ruyi laid an important foundation for the later generations of ruyi to completely detach themselves from religion and play a purely auspicious function.

Second, the interconnection of Taoist beliefs and folk beliefs makes Ruyi from religious artifacts to the general public life closer to the secularization

In Chinese history, the Song, Yuan, Jin, and Liao periods, is the peak of the development of Taoism, the emergence of a number of new Taoist factions, such as the north, to the Quanzhen Road, Tai Dao, and the true Taoist Way, and the south, to Zheng Yi Dao, Jing Ming Road, and the south, to the Zheng Yi Dao. was represented by Zheng Yi Dao and Jing Ming Dao. With the extreme prosperity of Taoist beliefs and the deepening of folklore, Ruyi gradually moved from religious artifacts to the lives of the general public, such as the Ming Dynasty folk painting "Heavenly Concubine Holy Mother. Bixia Yuanjun statue of the gods" is the best proof.

As we know, Tianfei is a Taoist deity, and Yuanjun is the Taoist honorific title for female immortals and goddesses. As Bixia Yuanjun is regarded as a goddess of fertility in the traditional concept of Chinese folklore, "Heavenly Consort Holy Mother . Bixia Yuanjun's Statue of Gods" expresses the folk's expectation and wish for children. It can be said that not only both Tianfei and Yuanjun have become folk deities, but also "Tianfei Holy Mother. The "Ruyi" in the "Statue of the Gods of Bixia Yuanjun" also has the important connotation of "as the people's will" and "to meet the wishes of the people", which shows that the auspicious concept of Ruyi has penetrated into the folklore.

In addition, the Ming Dynasty Ruyi physical also shows the trend of secularization. According to data records, the Ming Dynasty Ruyi made of precious wood, carved with a variety of auspicious patterns, such as a handle of sandalwood Ruyi in the Ming Dynasty: itself is a large Ganoderma lucidum, but also in the carving of the top of the nine small Ruyi. We know that in folklore, nine is an auspicious number, which originated from the book of poetry. Xiao Ya. Tianbao": "such as the mountains, such as foo, such as Gang, such as the mausoleum, such as the river of the party to, in order not to increase ...... Like the constancy of the moon, like the rising of the sun. Like the longevity of the southern mountain, it will not be raised or crumbled. As the pines and cypresses of the lush, no not er or commitment." Because of this "nine as" represents a good and auspicious wishes, so future generations of folk have nine nine (JiuJiu) RuYi said. The combination of the number nine and the Ganoderma Lucidum pattern makes this handle Ruyi has the symbolism of nine like longevity.

Another example of the Ming Dynasty, a white jade Fuk Luk Shou's Ruyi: on the carving of deer, cranes and other auspicious motifs, Ruyi not only has the head and tail of a large and small two Ruyi head, but also in the middle of the handle is also another oval Ruyi head, because there are three heads, so it is called "three inlaid Ruyi". Taoists believe that the three inlaid ruyi "trinity", on behalf of Taoism, "a heart of respect for the three treasures" or "Taoist three clear" meaning, so this new style of ruyi especially favored by Taoism, such as Taoism Palace deity modeling, Lingbao Tianzun often hold Ruyi, giving it the meaning of good luck and evil spirits. In addition, this handle Ruyi tail is also decorated with a string of yellow spikes pendant, by the red pearl threading and become, pendant upper also weave a small disc long knot, not only increase the richness of the Ruyi and the overall visual aesthetics, but also with the three Ruyi head of the engraved auspicious pattern constitutes an integral whole, implying that the blessing of the eternal life, rich in folklore color.

In short, the establishment of the prayers for auspicious wishes based on the Ruyi modeling process than before, showing great progress, not only the selection of materials is more elaborate - in favor of precious wood and jade, but also become more complex form - from a one-handle style Developed into three inlaid ruyi, more exquisite craftsmanship, more delicate and exquisite carving, showing the characteristics of elegant but not light. It can be said that the secularization of Ruyi in the Ming Dynasty period has had a wide and far-reaching impact on the development of Ruyi for future generations.

Three, the prevalence of auspicious culture in the Qing Dynasty, prompting the loss of Ruyi original functions, completely degraded to the "auspicious" symbols.

The Qing dynasty, after the early Qing dynasty sharp ethnic conflicts and the suppression of the anti-Qing armed struggle, the Qing dynasty rule in the mid-Qing dynasty to stabilize, showing a "peaceful world" scene. Rulers hope that this stability and harmony, health and wealth of the social situation can continue to consolidate their dominance, so in the mid-Qing Dynasty, the development of auspicious culture to the peak, taboo on unknown things, all seek good luck, the royal courtesy of the king and ministers are also rare to "good luck" as a greeting.

Because of the prevalence of auspicious culture in the court, artifacts, whether from the name or meaning, are catering to the mid-Qing people generally seek auspicious psychology, and thus gained a lot of development. Manufacturing Ruyi all kinds of precious materials into the court, Ruyi in the material embodies the characteristics of diversity. Coupled with the Qing Dynasty craftsmanship level set the previous generation of the great success, reached its peak, so whether in the material, shape, or carving patterns and other aspects of the ruyi will be ruyi "auspicious" theme to the extreme. Such as the Qing dynasty carved jade ruyi, made of Xinjiang top-grade Hetian white jade, without any accessories, handle body smooth without carving, but three ruyi head covered with bats, jade pan and other patterns, due to the bats and the "blessed" homophonic, "pan" and the "Qing" homophonic, so this handle Ruyi symbolizes "Fuking Shoukang". Another example is a handle of the Qing Dynasty "Peony Ruyi", although wooden, but coated with gold lacquer, opulent, like gold, Ruyi handle for the hieroglyphic peony branches, three Ruyi head is a trio of blossoming peonies, both in terms of color and shape, the handle of the Ruyi is full of rich and noble meaning.

Of course, the decorative patterns of the Qing Dynasty ruyi far more than these, some carving Buddha's hand, pomegranates and peaches, used to symbolize the "three more", that is, more life, more children and more blessings, there are also carvings of the Eight Immortals or the dark Eight Immortals to symbolize the auspiciousness of the celebration and so on and so on and so forth.

In short, the Qing Dynasty Ruyi decorative motifs integration of our art, religion and folklore and other cultural elements, the Ruyi "auspicious" theme is fully expressed.

Conclusion

Nowadays, Ruyi is not only displayed in museums for people to enjoy, but also contributes to cultural exchanges, collecting and playing, and promoting Chinese history and culture. For example, in 1999, the return of Macao, the global Chinese will be a handle took eight months to complete, beautifully crafted, carved with a phoenix in the morning sun, two dragons to protect the pearl, the profound meaning of the giant jade ruyi "Chinese ruyi" as a gift to the Macao SAR Government, it can be seen, ruyi in the modern life is also given to the unity of the motherland and national unity of the profound meaning of.

In conclusion, with the development of history, although Ruyi has undergone a profound evolution in form, material and function, the art of Ruyi, as a kind of folk culture unique to our country, has its unique value and status in Chinese traditional culture.