Index of Chinese symbolic elements
In a Chinese painting have you ever wondered what a bee is doing together with a boy on the back of an elephant? These symbolic elements have for centuries been well understood by Chinese people. It is still important to understand them as they add a new dimension to appreciation of Chinese art.
Here are all the subjects covered in this large index of Chinese symbols and art motifs. As there are so many we have grouped them intobirds,animals,colors,flowers & fruit,nature andassorted categories. This section does not include the pantheon of gods and heroes from China's history, we have a separate guide to all the importantChinese deities.
AmberAmuletAncestral tabletAnimalAntAoAppleApricotAubergineAxAzaleaBadgerBallBambooBasketBatBeanBearBeardBeeBellBirdBlackBlueBoatBookBottle gourdBowBoxBridgeBroomBrushButterflyCabbageCanopyCarpCatCentipedeCherryChildrenChrysanthemumCicadaCinnabarCinnamonCloudCockerelCoinColorCrabCraneCreeperCricketCrowCypressDeerDewDogDonkeyDoveDragonDragonflyDuckEagleEarthEight treasuresElephantEndless knotFanFilial pietyFinger lemonFireFishFlowersFluteFoxGall bladderGeckoGhostGinsengGlow wormGongGood luck godsGooseGreenHairHalberdHareHatHawkHeartHeavenHellHeronHorseIceImmortalsImperial InsigniaIrisIsles of the BlessedJadeJujubeKingfisherLacquerLaoziLilyLionLongevityLotusLuohanLuteLycheeMagnoliaMagpieMapleMeanderMelonMirrorMonkeyMoonMountainMouth organMulberryNarcissusNumbersOnionOpiumOrangeOrchidOrioleOwlOxPagodaPan GuPantherParrotPavilionPeachPeacockPearPearlPeng NiaoPeonyPersimmonPheasantPhoenixPigPinePipaPlumPomegranatePurpleQuailRainRatRavenRedRhinocerosRoseRu YiSaddleScorpionScrollSeasonsSheepShoeSnakeSpiderStoneSunSwallowSwastikaSwordTai JiTaotieThunderTigerToadTortoiseTripodUmbrellaUnicornVaseWalnutWaveWhiteWillowWineWolfWood oil treeYellowIf you are looking for a motif to convey a particular meaning it can be tedious to look through all the symbols. So here is a list of the symbols arranged by meaning, note that some of them can take multiple meanings so appear more than once.
Incidentally, thebee and the boy on the back of anelephant? It's a wish for happiness, good luck and a job promotion.
The Great Wall of China
The iconic vision of the Great Wall snaking its way up mountainsides is known the world over. It stands as one of China's great accomplishments - the awe-inspiring Great Wall. Although it stands for China's enterprise and indomitable spirit, it in the end proved an expensive waste of effort.Read more…Arrive quickly
Often combined with other things, this set adds the meaning that ‘good fortune’, ‘exam success’, ‘children’ and so on should happen soon.
HorsePeng NiaoJujubeBeauty terms
Symbols portraying beauty usually in the form of beautiful flowers.
AppleApricotAzaleaCherryGlow wormJadeKingfisherLilyMagnoliaOrchidOriolePeachPearPearlPeonyPheasantPhoenixIrisChildren
Symbols that express a wish for children - particularly sons.
BallLilyPomegranateToadUnicornLycheeMelonIrisExamination success
Success inexaminations remains a passport to power and wealth and it was customary to wish candidates good luck with gifts symbolizing a wish for success.
ApricotCarpCrabHalberdOnionJob Promotion
Wishing someone is promoted at work.
CypressMaplePomegranateHatMouth organAppointment to an official post
After passing the examinations the wish would be be appointed to a lucrativeposition in government of great prestige.
AubergineBeeBellCinnamonCockerelCraneHalberdLuteMaplePeacockWaveBrushPipa
Evil
Things that are considered harbingers of bad luck.
OwlCrowWolfFamily Values
These symbols are associated with filial piety - devotion to parents.
CrowRavenSheepIceGood Luck
There are a wide range of symbols in Chinese art that all have a general wish for good fortune.
BatBellCabbageCarpCloudCockerelCoinDeerFishGood luck godsLionLuteMagpieMirrorNarcissusOrangePheasantPlumRedRu YiSpiderSwastikaTai JiTripodUnicornAmuletHatBrushEight treasuresPipaHappen again
These can be added to a design to give the meaning that ‘happiness’, ‘good fortune’ and so on should be repeated year after year.
LotusMeanderSwastikaBoat
Dragons, master of rain and water
The Chinese dragon is no fire-breathing monster, in China they are regarded as powerful but benevolent. As dragons are masters of rain, water and sea they need to be brought on your side if you want a good harvest, and so they need suitable offerings. The Dragon Boat festival is when everyone seeks to appease the dragon kings.Read more…Happiness
All these symbols express a wish for happiness and are often found on gifts to friends and family.
AxBadgerBatChrysanthemumDuckFanFinger lemonLionMagpieMonkeyOriolePhoenixPlumSpiderUnicornHappy Marriage
These symbols are associated with wishing for a long and happymarriage, and children to come along soon.
AxCraneDuckFishGooseLotusPeachPhoenixPomegranateShoeSunWood oil tree
Long Life
Almost as many symbols are used to wish for a long life as there are to wish for good luck.
BambooButterflyCatCicadaCraneCreeperCypressDeerDoveDragonEndless knotFinger lemonHareJadeLaoziLongevityMountainNarcissusPeachPearPinePlumStoneTortoiseCricketLoyalty
These things symbolize remaining loyal in some way or another.
DogDoveDuckGlow wormGoosePineQuailWood oil tree
Convert measurements
Our handy measurement convertor will not only do Chinese units to/from Metric/Imperial/U.S. measures but also between meters and feet; liters and pints. Just type in the measurement in length, volume, weight, area and let China sage calculate the accurate answer.Read more…Modesty
The virtue of modesty is attributed to some plants and also theqilin.
BambooLotusOrchidPearlPeonyUnicornWillowPath through Life
Symbols that reflect upon destiny and overall aims in life.
HeronPersimmonBridgePeace
Wishes for peace and contentment.
AppleBoxChrysanthemumCrabCraneLotusMirrorPhoenixQuailSaddleShoeVaseProtection
These symbols in some way offer protection from evil and strife.
Bottle gourdJadeSwordTai JiTaotieTigerWillowFireRhinocerosBook of Changes - Deciphered
The Yi Jing is the premier ancient classic in China, and yet at the heart of this very strange but important book is a mystery that has remained unsolved for 3,000 years. The ‘Book of Changes - Deciphered’ describes the history and importance of the Yi Jing (I Ching) and proposes a new solution to the ancient mystery. Buying a copy will help supportChinasage. Now also available in Kindle eBook format for just $5.99.
Details...➚Romance
These symbols are closely associated with romance and love. There are many other symbols that relate more specifically tomarriage and general good fortune.
ButterflyMirrorIceStrength
This set of symbols give the attribute of strength and fortitude to the meaning of a scene.
BeardDragonEagleMountainOxPineSwordTigerTortoiseBear
All the tea in China
Tea was the most important export that was weighed in the traditional Chinese unit ofmeasurement called a 'catty'. It is known colloquially as the Chinese pound and is about 1.1pounds. In China it is known as the jin斤 the word catty probably came from the Malay word. The modern weight is aligned to the metric system as exactly 500grams. The container for tea, a 'caddy', is believed to have been named after the measure.
Wealth
A wish for riches was often tied up with success inexaminations as this came from securing a lucrative government post.
BasketCabbageCarpCinnamonCoinDeerDragonFishMagnoliaPeonyToadHatBest Wishes
These symbols have a general theme of good wishes and are often combined with something else to give a specific meaning for example good wishes on a marriage.
BambooElephantOrangeRu YiUnicorn
