| Those that have a love for Chinese art and antiques | | | | well. The imagery of the animals includes bats (good |
| are surely attracted to the items based on their | | | | luck), monkeys (human spirit), turtles (immortality), |
| beautiful visual appearance. While the shape and style | | | | and various other indigenous creatures of the region. |
| of the antiques certainly add to their aesthetic value, | | | | Each and every animal is connected to a specific trait |
| the symbols engraved into the items are also visually | | | | in a manner no different than how gods are depicted. |
| alluring as they are truly eye catching. While some | | | | Flowers, Fruits, and Vegetables: this would seem like |
| may acknowledge the visual beauty of these | | | | several different categories but they are really a |
| symbols, they may not have much knowledge in | | | | collective of the representation of nature that is |
| terms of what these symbols represent and what | | | | uniquely presented in the ancient symbolism of the |
| they mean. For those that are curious about the | | | | art and antiques. While many of these symbols are |
| meaning behind these symbols, the following is a brief | | | | varied, a number of them have the same meaning |
| overview: | | | | because - as mentioned - they are tied back to the |
| Gods: To say that there are a great many ancient | | | | representation of the singular entity of nature. For |
| gods in Chinese cultural history and many of them | | | | example, bamboo, pine, and mushrooms along with |
| are represented in the symbols carved or drawn in | | | | various other items all represent longevity. And |
| the antiques. Since Chinese history dates back to the | | | | longevity is, of course, linked heavily to the natural |
| year 3,000 BC, it is no surprise that many of the | | | | world. Other common representations include wealth |
| gods and goddesses represented in the symbols are | | | | (flowers), progeny (lotus), and joy (peach). |
| linked to the many different cultural aspects of | | | | There are other miscellaneous symbols that make |
| human behavior over the years. That is why the | | | | their way into the antiques and artwork of China. |
| depiction of these gods is heavily influenced by | | | | Coins (wealth), water ripples (also wealth), fans |
| emotions. There is a top tier of gods known as the | | | | (goodness), and the simple vase (peace) are all |
| Stellar Triad and a second tier known as the 8 | | | | common symbols that are prevalent. Of course, |
| Immortals. Their appearances in antiques and art are | | | | there are more and their symbolism stretches many |
| quite frequent. Some of the gods and their | | | | different meanings. |
| representation include: Hexiangu (Marriage), Lu | | | | The inclusion of symbols on Chinese antiques is |
| Dongbin (Liberator of greed and lust), Zaojun | | | | certainly appreciated since they truly add a brilliant |
| (Harmony in the household), Xi (joy), and many | | | | visual component to the antiques which adds to their |
| others. | | | | aesthetic value. This is why their inclusion is so |
| Animals: Since a great deal of Chinese cultural history | | | | welcome and increases the popularity of the items to |
| entails the study of the natural world, it is no surprise | | | | a great degree. |
| that scores of animals are represented in antiques as | | | | |