A beautiful green crackled glaze Qing Dynasty Ceramic Vase Salamander Bat Decoration. For many centuries Salamanders and bats have been a common feature or motif used to decorate Chinese pottery, porcelain, furniture, carvings and paintings. This vase is decorated with a handle on each side depicting a salamander and a bee motif in the centre of each side.
The Salamander is considered the world’s biggest Amphibian and is a relic from the dinosaur age. The largest Salamanders are found in the waters in and around China. Currently, these creatures are close to extinction due to loss of habitat and their use in Chinese medicine. The Salamander is also considered a delicacy in China.
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Bats are also seen in many Chinese art forms, they were extremely popular during the Manchu period (Qing Dynasty). Bats like the Salamander decorate almost any kind of decorative object in China and are considered a symbol of longevity and happiness.
The Significance of Bats in China
Bats are a fascinating group of animals that have different meanings in different cultures. In Western culture, bats are often seen as scary, creepy, or evil creatures that are associated with vampires, witches, and Halloween. However, in Chinese culture, bats have a very different and positive meaning. Bats are considered to be symbols of good luck, happiness, and prosperity in Chinese culture. In this blog post, we will explore the origin and significance of bats in Chinese culture and how they are used in art, literature, and folklore.
One of the reasons why bats are so important in Chinese culture is because of a linguistic coincidence. The Chinese word for bat is “fu” (蝠), which sounds the same as the word for good fortune or blessing (福). Therefore, bats are seen as a sign of auspiciousness and abundance. Bats are often depicted in groups of five, which represent the five blessings of life: longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a peaceful death.
Another reason why bats are valued in Chinese culture is because of their ability to fly and navigate in the dark. Bats are seen as creatures that can overcome difficulties and find opportunities in challenging situations. They are also associated with the concept of yin and yang, the balance of opposite forces in nature. Bats are nocturnal animals that belong to the yin (dark) aspect of nature, but they also bring light and joy to people’s lives.
Bats are frequently used as motifs in Chinese art and decoration. They are often combined with other symbols that have positive meanings, such as peaches (longevity), coins (wealth), lotus flowers (purity), or red lanterns (festivity). Bats can also be found decorating clothing, jewellery, furniture, paintings, and sculptures. One of the most common ways to use bats as a symbol is to write the word “fu” upside down on a door or a wall. This is because the word for upside down is “dao”, which sounds like the word for arrival or coming. Therefore, an upside-down “fu” means that good fortune is coming or has arrived.
Bats also appear in Chinese literature and folklore as benevolent and helpful creatures. For example, in the classic novel Journey to the West, one of the main characters, Zhu Bajie (a half-pig half-human), is rescued by a group of bats from a trap set by a demon. The bats then guide him to a cave where he finds a magic weapon that helps him defeat the demon. Another example is the legend of Liang Shanbo and Zhu Yingtai, a tragic love story similar to Romeo and Juliet. In some versions of the story, after the lovers die, they are reincarnated as a pair of bats that fly together in the sky.
In conclusion, bats are not only amazing animals that have unique abilities and characteristics but also powerful symbols that have rich meanings in Chinese culture. Bats represent good luck, happiness, and prosperity, as well as resilience, adaptability, and balance. Bats are widely used in Chinese art and decoration to express these positive values and wishes. Bats also have a role in Chinese literature and folklore as friendly and helpful beings that assist people in their journeys. Bats are truly remarkable creatures that deserve our respect and appreciation.
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