On the symbolic significance of ancient ceramic patterns in China?

In the treasure house of ancient culture and art in China, traditional patterns are colorful and dazzling. It not only represents the long history of the Chinese nation, the development and progress of society, but also represents a great wealth in the treasure house of world culture and art. Five or six thousand years ago, our ancestors created painted pottery culture, and many handicrafts were produced in subsequent times, such as bronzes, pottery, silk, lacquerware, gold and silver carvings, jade carvings, tooth carvings, masonry carvings, embroidery, weaving, batik and so on. From the ever-changing and simple decorative patterns, we can see that the scientific and technological level of each era is in the same strain as the cultural tradition of the Chinese nation. These are valuable bases for us to study the history of national development, national aesthetics, national psychology and folk customs, and also constitute an important guide for the development of modern arts and crafts. Many traditional patterns are enduring and still in use today, maintaining strong vitality. Therefore, we can't neglect to learn valuable nutrition from the ancient traditional patterns in China.

China's patterns in different historical periods have different characteristics in theme selection, expression techniques and artistic styles, which are inseparable from their functions, texture of materials and processing methods of craftsmen. Let's briefly introduce it in stages.

1. During the Neolithic period, laborers created the art of painted pottery, which is not only unique in shape, but also unique in pattern, practical and beautiful, and the light of art is endless. The main patterns are: fish pattern, deer pattern, dog pattern, face pattern, pattern, net pattern, water pattern, shell pattern, woven pattern, flame pattern and calendar image, sun, moon and stars pattern. According to their own understanding, the ancestors skillfully applied the visual image of life and nature to various utensils and appliances, forming a solemn, generous, natural and harmonious decorative pattern and creating a generation of styles.

2. During the slave society of Shang and Zhou Dynasties, bronze art came first. Whether it is a variety of containers, wine vessels, musical instruments, etc. Or various commemorative furnishings, all of which are decorated with exquisite patterns. Some also directly borrow animal images for modeling, such as elephant statues and four sheep statues. Commonly used decorative patterns include: gluttonous pattern, dragon pattern, phoenix pattern, cicada pattern, jade belt pattern, heavy ring pattern, scale pattern, nipple pattern, Yun Leiwen pattern, vortex pattern, dragon pattern, four-petal flower pattern, pictographic pattern and so on. The patterns meet the requirements of copper casting process, and most of them are very neat male or female patterns. Fine patterns, tight organization and a magical feeling. Archaeologists call it "brilliant bronze art"

3. During the Warring States, Qin and Han Dynasties, there were new exhibitions of iron roses, gold and silver ornaments and lacquerware, the construction industry flourished, and masonry carving flourished. The theme of decorative patterns is more extensive, which has made a great breakthrough than before. The main decorative patterns are: monster patterns, dragon and phoenix patterns, various animals (deer, horses, cattle, sheep, tigers, geese, fish and so on. ) pattern and four gods pattern. The "Four Gods", also known as the "Four Spirits", are marked by four animal images: Qinglong, White Tiger, Suzaku and Xuanwu (tortoise and snake). Qinglong is the legendary God of the East, Suzaku is the God of the South, White Tiger is the God of the West, and Xuanwu is the God of the North. They marked four directions. It is also marked with four colors: Qinglong-complexion; Suzaku-red; White tiger-white; Xuanwu-black. In addition, the types of figures in Han paintings are unprecedented, especially stones, bricks and tiles, whose themes directly reflect the scenes of human life, production and war. The brushwork is simple and complicated, and less wins more, which opens up a new way for the decoration of later generations.

4. During the Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, due to social unrest, Buddhist art flourished. Patterns are also influenced by religion, and many themes and contents in this period are related to Buddhist stories. Commonly used patterns are: honeysuckle (also known as "precious flower", which means good luck all the year round), lotus pattern (also known as "hibiscus" and "flogging", which means to emerge from the mud without being defiled, and "flower festival", which is a symbol of virtue) and bluebird pattern (bluebird is also a symbol). There is an image of "flying fairy" in the figure pattern, which expresses a beautiful ideal and human strength.

5. The Sui, Tang and Five Dynasties were in the middle of feudal society, cultural exchanges with foreign countries increased, and arts and crafts developed unprecedentedly. Exquisite decorative patterns on Tang Sancai, Song porcelain, silk, gold and silver products, etc. There have also been colorful situations. The patterns in the Tang Dynasty are rich and full, rich and luxurious. The patterns in the Song Dynasty are exquisite and dexterous. Commonly used patterns include: grass scroll pattern, baohua (a pattern that combines lotus and peony and adopts perfect idealized composition method), sea pomegranate, Hua Niaowen, ceiling pattern, beaded pattern, ribbon pattern, figure pattern and so on. There are many lotus flowers and peony flowers. In addition, there are dogwood (traditional Chinese medicine) patterns, persimmon stalk patterns, geometric patterns and so on. The decorative techniques are realistic, exaggerated and distorted, and the idealized ways such as flowers in flowers, flowers in leaves and flowers in fruits are adopted, which are ingenious, vivid and colorful. Tang and Song Dynasties is an important historical period for the development of Chinese traditional patterns.

6. The patterns at the end of feudal society in Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties retained the national characteristics, absorbed the advantages of foreign crafts, and changed the color varieties and decorative styles. Cloisonne was a new technology at that time, and porcelain, brocade, brick carving and wood carving also made great progress, and the decorative themes increased a lot. Common animal patterns are lion, peacock, bat, deer, crane, sheep, crane, eagle, golden pheasant, magic unicorn and so on. The themes of flowers and fruits are plum blossom, lotus, chrysanthemum, peony, orchid, morning glory, bamboo, pine, ganoderma lucidum, peach, pomegranate, loquat, pear, apricot and grape. The idealized methods of borrowing and combining each other are also more extensive and changeable. Such as flowers and birds, insects and flowers. , strengthen the decorative interest. In addition, there are some patterns composed of objects, such as antiques, stones, ceramics, clocks, ding, cups, plates, cans, bowls, bottles, calligraphy and painting, etc. These patterns are elegant in style and are called "Bo Gu patterns". There are also "Eight Auspiciouss" (also known as Buddha Eight Treasures) composed of eight Buddhist offerings, "Tao Eight Treasures" composed of Taoist artifacts, and so on. Most of the patterns in this period are auspicious patterns, and the application scope has reached an unprecedented level. Daily necessities, clothing, buildings and commodities can be seen everywhere.

The origin of ancient traditional patterns in China can be roughly divided into three parts. First of all, it comes from folk crafts: ceramics, embroidery, window grilles, blue printed cloth, batik, paper-cutting, carving, weaving and so on. It was created by the working people according to their own will. It is generally simple, rough and full of local flavor. Secondly, it comes from religious arts, such as religious legends and myths, murals, algae wells, niches, statues and costumes, pedestals, buildings, sculptures and various decorations of utensils in temples and grottoes. The most typical Dunhuang pattern is the essence of traditional Buddhist patterns. It is a unique artistic style created by skilled craftsmen in China by absorbing foreign cultures. These patterns are rigorous in composition and full of ideals. Third, the furnishings, daily necessities, costumes, jewelry and buildings occupied by feudal emperors, nobles and wealthy businessmen ... These handicraft patterns are carefully designed to meet the material life and empty spiritual life of luxury people, and there is no specialized workshop supervised by special personnel, so the patterns are very fine and colorful and luxurious. In addition to the traditional patterns mentioned above, there are quite a few decorative patterns with the theme of happiness, longevity, wealth, literati painting and calligraphy, and poetry. Most of them use meter, Jiugong and other metrical forms. The above three parts of patterns constitute the mainstream of Chinese traditional patterns.

The ancient traditional patterns in China have been created by artists of past dynasties, forming a complete artistic system with China national style. Although the service object is different and the subject matter content is different, it is undeniable that it is from the hands of workers. In the most typical figurative and homophonic auspicious patterns, the best ideals are often entrusted. Even in the pattern of directly serving the religious or feudal ruling class, the national spirit still shines in varying degrees, showing the amazing wisdom and creativity of the ancient working people in China.

7, in-depth life and learning heritage

We seem to live in an environment where woodcarving art and meticulous woodcarving works can be seen everywhere. From wooden doors and windows, hardwood furniture, scaffolding, ten-view cabinets to inlaid hanging screens, benches, tables, supports, etc. It is inseparable from exquisite modeling, carved design and style layout, as well as the construction of mortise and tenon structure. Especially the elegant aesthetic spirit contained in Ming-style furniture. As Mr. Yang Yao, a famous Ming-style furniture expert in China, pointed out, "Ming-style furniture in China is simple and light, not heavy and dull. The lines are smooth and lively, not dull and rough. Sculpture is appropriate and interesting, not boring and aimless. From the simple and beautiful carving patterns we saw on Ming furniture, we found that it quoted bronzes, jade, pottery and various architectural patterns. Once these patterns were adopted on furniture, they all had a more exquisite play, which is enough to show that China's wood carving technology was further developed in the Ming Dynasty. "

Patterns originate from life, and life is the source of pattern creation. This is the objective law of pattern creation, which is a fundamental point. If we ignore this point, there will be no real innovation in patterns, and it will be impossible to produce patterns that the masses like and lose their vitality.

"Seriously learn from the heritage, which is the first key to the learning mode." (Lei Guiyuan's basic pattern), pattern art is one of the oldest traditional arts in our country. Painted pottery in primitive society, bronze ware in slave society, gold and silver wares, lacquerware, silk fabrics and sculptures in feudal society are the crystallization of the wisdom of our Chinese nation in recent thousands of years and an important part of the cultural and artistic heritage of the motherland. Studying, studying and drawing lessons from excellent pattern heritage is of great inspiration and reference value for mastering the law of pattern creation, being familiar with the law of formal beauty of patterns and closely connecting patterns with life and production. At the same time, learning from the excellent pattern heritage is of great significance to enhance our patriotism and national pride, improve our artistic accomplishment and promote the diversification of pattern themes, forms and styles. Under the guidance of the spirit of "making the past serve the present" and "bringing forth the old and bringing forth the new", it is of great significance to create patterns with national style and spirit of the times to promote the development of pattern art in China.