Chinese Cultural Values
The Qing dynasty was the last imperial dynasty of China.
This entails the final elaborate of symbolism attached to fashion often found in ancient China before it is simplified to lesser symbolic attachments for parties to draw interpretations from individuals or groups visually.
Three Teachings Coexisted
- Confucianism, Taoism and Buddhism fit into the larger cosmic totality, there was no sense of a person being required to choose any one tradition over another.
- Ultimately, the correlated relationship created an overlap of symbolic meanings of different interpretations that determined the aesthetics and associations on the clothing.
Confucianism - In fashion, symbols, ornamentations and colours are used to represent or draw associations with the values and social hierarchy in accordance to Confucianism.
Taoism - In fashion, contrasting qualities are implemented to distinguish individuals based on ideas like social statuses and, gender and sex through contrasting elements.
Buddhism - In fashion, such ideas are represented through symbols of often positive associations as a means to encourage goodness to avoid unwanted consequences.
Symbolism in Fashion
Undoubtedly, the interwoven relationship of the different systems of thought can be identified from the aesthetics in fashion that incorporated symbolism of relevance to the different philosophies.
Symbolism is the use of shapes and forms to express a complicated idea of concept. The perception of symbol varies by receivers.
Symbolism is the use of symbols that possess multiple ideas and qualities that can be different from their literal sense. They function to first facilitate the transmission of ideas in a community and ensure preservation that ultimately promotes social harmony.
Clothing symbols often accurately represents the mindset and behaviour of the people where they draw associations with desirable values or subvert them to gain membership in a community.
It has to be taken into consideration that symbolism in clothing is subjective and they are not governed by any kind of rules or regulations. Also, they do not offer implications about a person’s rights, duties or obligations. Any form of interpretation has to be substantiated with historical and cultural context for greater accuracy.
There are symbolic indications of different social ideas such as social class, cultural identity, tradition and political or religious affiliations. These symbols are attached to forms, colours, textures and other expressive elements.
Crane
Confucianism & Buddhism
Associated with Confucianism in regards to one of the five relationships and placing emphasis on social hierarchy.
The crane stands for the son’s deference to his father.
A crane standing alone represents success in becoming a high government official. This is often represented through embroidery on the uniforms or on the pendant charms.
Associated with Buddhism where purity determines a person's place in society. The crane motif when shown with lotus flowers symbolises purity and longevity.
Plants & Flowers
Lotus
Confucianism & Buddhism
Symbolises transformation from evil to good or a pure and untainted nature due to its natural cycle of growth from mud of marshes to pure white blossom above water.
Considered a Sacred Buddhist symbol where the Buddha is often depicted seated on a lotus.
Also known as 莲 lián in Chinese and homophones to lian give it symbolic meanings: 廉 lián ‘incorruptible, modest’; 连 lián ‘join; continuous; successive’; 联 lián ‘unite; join’.
Another name for the lotus hé brings other associations through the homophones 和 hé ‘harmony; union’.
Nature & Assorted
Meander
Product Subtitle
Huí 回 means ‘return’ so there is symbolism of cycles and rebirth.
Idea of rebirth draws closely with Buddhism where bad doings are seriously considered in avoidance of unwanted karmic retribution.
Colours
Yellow
Represents power, royalty and prosperity.
It was the Emperor’s colour in imperial China and is held as a symbolic colour of the five legendary Emperors of ancient China.
Often used as the colour for royal palaces, altars and temples and imperial robes, an indication of differentiating social statuses.
Represents freedom from worldly cares which is esteemed in Buddhism.
Symbolic meaning of heroism
Represents earth
Generates “yin” and “yang” for it is believed to be the center of everything.