Chinese (and Eastern) Symbolism … is very different
from the West … this must be considered in any understanding of text (whether
or not poetic) …
In English poetry a rose would identify with beauty and woman … the equivalent flower in Chinese imagery would be the magnolia, in China a dove represents fidelity but in English poetry (and art) a dog is more appropriate …
More examples of Chinese Symbols and there meaning …
Tiger … Courage and Bravery
Pine Trees … Longevity, Steadfastness, and Self-Discipline
Ancient Chinese Dragons are ultimate symbols of cosmic Chi (energy). It is said to be the most potent symbol of good fortune in the Chinese pantheon of symbols. As one of the four creatures of the world's directions, the Dragon stands for new beginnings. The Dragon also has the power to release water to parched lands, and which in turn stands for abundance & relief. Continued success, high achievement, and prosperity are also listed among the Dragon's arsenal of good qualities, which rank it one of the most popular of Asian signs.
(Website link ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon)
English poetry has developed over hundreds of
years, certain symbolic meanings have attached themselves to such things as
colours, places, times, and animals …the same can be said for Chinese poetry …
Here
are some examples where there are clear differences in association …
In English poetry a rose would identify with beauty and woman … the equivalent flower in Chinese imagery would be the magnolia, in China a dove represents fidelity but in English poetry (and art) a dog is more appropriate …
More examples of Chinese Symbols and there meaning …
Tiger … Courage and Bravery
Pine Trees … Longevity, Steadfastness, and Self-Discipline
Peach
… Longevity
Onion
… Clever
Tortoise
… Longevity & Immortality
Goose
… Married Bliss
Lotus
… Purity
Cicada
… Immortality, Life after Death
Fish
…Wealth
Crane
… Longevity. A Pair of Cranes symbolizes "Long
Marriage", as Cranes mate for life
Dragon
…Male Vigor and Fertility, also the symbol for The
Emperor …
…
and more on the Dragon … as this is perhaps one of the most well know of
Chinese symbols …
Ancient Chinese Dragons are ultimate symbols of cosmic Chi (energy). It is said to be the most potent symbol of good fortune in the Chinese pantheon of symbols. As one of the four creatures of the world's directions, the Dragon stands for new beginnings. The Dragon also has the power to release water to parched lands, and which in turn stands for abundance & relief. Continued success, high achievement, and prosperity are also listed among the Dragon's arsenal of good qualities, which rank it one of the most popular of Asian signs.
(Website link ... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon)
Symbolism is important in poetry … it represents
something else, either by association or by resemblance. It represents a deeper
meaning than the words themselves … figurative meaning compared to literal meaning
…
Example 1 … Robert Frost’s poem ‘The Road Not
Taken’ … here is the first line … Two roads converged in a yellow wood,
In this poem the two roads are far more than
two roads …representing a decision … in this case a clear choice of two
… there is a coming together representing the closeness of the decision … but a
decision must be made … … for those that know the poem the road not taken will
be remembered reflecting on what would it have been like to have taken the
alternative.
Example 2 … We could speak of depression as a black
dog …black has obvious association with negativity … but why is a dog more
appropriate than, say, a cat?
Footnote …Of course any poet can develop his or her
own personal symbolism.
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