Months of the Year (First Moon = First Month)

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The Lychee (Litchi chinesis) is probably the best known of all Chinese fruit trees. It is extensively cultivated in south China, particularly in the provinces of Kwangtung, Kwangsi, Taiwan, Fukien, Szechwan and Yünnan.

The evergreen leaves are pinnate pairs of leathery leaflets and the tiny flowers are produced in terminal panicles in spring. These are followed by the round fruits which have a red brittle skin covered with rough tubercles and which ripen in summer. Each contains a single seed surrounded by white pulp. It has a sweet fragrance, flavorful and most delightful to eat. It is described more fully in the Nan-fang ts’ao-mu chuang, Ch’ün-fang-p’u and other classical botanical works and detailing its healthful benefits.

Although the Lychee have been cultivated in the south from earliest times, nevertheless, it was known in the north since the Han dynasty when Wu-Di (武帝 pinyin: wǔ dì, 140-87 B.C.) conquered the south. However, all attempts to have it grown in the north failed, because of the cold climate.

In Chinese, this fruit is most commonly and popularly called Li-zhi. However, it also has other names such as Huo-shan (火山 pintin: huǒ shān), Suan-zhi (酸枝 pinyin: suān zhī). In the classical work, Shang-lin-fu(上林赋 pinyin: shàng lín fù), it is related that the alternate name, Li-zhi (离枝 pinyin: lí zhī), meaning leaving its branches, is so-called because once the fruit is picked it deteriorates quickly. Therefore, it is always harvested with their stalks attached. In this same classical work, it also notes that: On the first day, its color changes, the second day, its fragrance diminishes, the third day, the flavor changes and on the fourth, fifth and following days, its color, fragrance and flavor all are but gone.

During the Tang dynasty (唐朝 pinyin: táng cháo, 618-906 A.D.), the Lychee was celebrated and treated as a delightfully charming exotic in poetry and art and enjoyed great prestige. The Lychee was so greatly favored by Emperor Xuan-zong’s (玄宗 pinyin: xuán zōng) concubine, Yang gui-fei (杨贵妃 pinyin: yáng guì fēi), that he had couriers on speedy horses from Szechwan (四川 pinyin: sì chuān) province to the capital of Chang-an (长安 pinyin: cháng ān). The Tang poet, Du-mu (杜牧 pinyin: dù mù), in a poem entitled Guo-Hua-Qing-Gong (过华清宫三绝 pinyin: guò huá qīng gōng sān jué) or Passing the Hua-Qing palace, describes this situation with the following lines: A speedy horse beating the dust to gain a laughter of his favorite concubine Yet who is aware that it is of a delivery of Lychee that was brought.

In the Song dynasty (宋朝 pinyin: sòng cháo, 960-1260 A.D.), not only was the Lychee celebrated in literature, such as by the famous poet, Su-shi (蘇軾 pinyin: sū shì), but also the first monograph on any fruit tree written by any Chinese writer appeared. This was entitled, Li-zhi-pu (荔枝谱 pinyin: lì zhī pǔ) and written in 1059 A.D. by the famous scholar/official Cai-xiang (蔡襄 pinyin: cài xiāng), and describes over 30 varieties of Lychee.

In the standard work on agriculture, Nung-chêng ch’üan-shu, quoting from another source, Chia sang t’ung-ch’üeh, it notes that, The [Lychee] tree has a long life, it could survive over 400 years and still bear fruit.

The Lychee became an auspicious symbol for two major reasons. First the term Li-zhi is linguistically similar in pronunciation as Li-zi (利子 pinyin:<lì zǐ), meaning interest in money as also as to have an heir (son). This could be symbolize with a single painting of the branch of a Lychee. Alternatively, it could be combined with the Jujube (棗 pinyin: zǎo) forming the rebus, Zao-li-zi, to establish an heir quickly. The second reason is that the term Li (荔) is a homonym for the word Li (利), meaning intelligent, sharp or cleaver, so that combined with a water caltrop (菱 pinyin: líng) and scallion (蔥 pinyin: cōng), or even a length of lotus root, it forms the rebus, Cong-ming-ling-li or to be intelligent, clever and bright. The Lychee combined with the Ling-zhi fungus would form the rebus, Ling-li-bu-ji-chi (伶俐不及癡 pinyin: líng lì bù jí chī) or to be bright, clever and intelligent without being silly or an idiot.

The Lychee was greatly imbued into Chinese symbolism and severed as an art motif in paintings as well as on porcelain and ceramics as well as in various arts and crafts. The dried Lychee is an important item for the marriage bed as, like the chestnut, it is a symbol of the birth of a son.

By William Hu and David Lei

Technorati Tags: Lychee, 利子

The cat lacks fidelity and considered as being insincere so that a popular phrase used by the Chinese Maokulaoshu (貓哭老鼠 māo kū lǎo shǔ) the cat weeping over the mouse which it has just caught and eaten — an insincere person. In addition a cat is believed to have demonic powers, and can see spirits in the dark, which it uses as a mouse-catcher. However, should a cat jump over a coffin, the corpses would be rise up and become an ‘undead’ to haunt the area. Therefore, a broom is always placed near the coffin so that if such occurrence should take place, the broom is thrown over the rising corpse to calm it and allowed to lie down dead again. For this reason, there is a custom that dead cats should not be buried lest they turn into mischievous spirits, therefore, they are hang up on trees.

It is said that the cat could tell time; at midnight, noon, sunrise, and sunset, the cat’s eye is like a thread. At 4 o’clock and 10 o’clock, morning and evening, it is round like a full moon. At 2 o’clock and 8 o’clock, morning and evening, it is elliptical like the kernel of a date.

The end of the nose is always cold, but for one day during the summer (Hsia-chih or summer solstice), it becomes warm, as the cat naturally dreads cold, but not heat.

As an auspicious symbol,the cat is found in two major depiction in wood block prints. One is called Canmaotu (蠶貓圖 cán māo tú), the silkworm cat picture, which is placed on the door to the shed where silkworms are reared. The picture serves two purposes, one is that the cat would protect the silkworms from the rats and mice and secondly, it is a pictorial ‘Keep Out’ sign, of not disturbing the silkworms. This wood block print is also used as a paper votive during the sacrificial offering to the silkworm deity called, Matouniang (馬頭娘 mǎ tóu niáng) or Mamingwang (馬明王 mǎ míng wáng), at her temple or shrine called Canshenmiao (蠶神廟 cán shén miào)/

The second type of wood block print is called Maodietu (貓蝶圖 māo dié tú) which depicts a cat, butterfly and peony blossom. It is the symbolic forming of the rebus, Maodiefigui (耄耋富貴 mào dié fù guì) or longevity and prosperity. The term for a cat, Mao (貓 māo) is pronounced phonemically similar to the word Mao (耄 mào), meaning a person seventy or eighty years of age; and the term for a Butterfly, Die (蝶 dié), is pronounced phonemically similar to the word Die (耋 diè), a homonym for a person eighty or ninety years of age. Although the specific ages are sometimes mixed for the word Mao and Die, nevertheless, both refer to a person of great age and in turn means longevity.

Oftentimes, derogatory remarks include the use of the word for cat, such as Maoshutongmian (貓鼠同眠 māo shǔ tóng mián), literally, the cat and the rat are asleep together, meaning officials and bandits working in collusion. In the early Qing (清 qīng) dynasty, there were porcelain cats, made with eyes cut out so that a candle could be placed inside to scare off rats, a form of night light, and meticulously described in early Jesuit writings of Chinese ceramics.

The most popular and famous Chinese folktale of a cat is associated with the Rat’s Wedding, when the pretentious rat wanting to marry their daughter to someone great, dismissed the Sun, the clouds, the wind, the wall and opt for the cat, who made havoc of the wedding party and had a great meal of them.

Recently, the Chinese have adopted the Japanese ‘beckoning cat’ called Mani nekko in Japanese and renamed as Zhaocaimao (招財貓 zhāo cái māo), meaning inviting wealth cat, by the Chinese, as a good luck symbol for business establishments. However, being unsure of which paw should be raised, the Chinese have made alterations, of having either a right or left paw, and also having the figurine of the cat made with two faces, a front and a back so that the cat could have either a right or left paw raised.

It should be pointed out, that inasmuch as the Mani Nekko is a late-Tokugawa period Japanese folk art, the Japanese themselves are confused as to which paw should be raised, moreover, to the different colors of the cat. In addition, the Chinese have added various other inscriptions to the cat, which then appears like a Japanese version but with a Chinese flavor. There are so many variations and so often seen in Chinese establishments, that many believe it to be Chinese instead of an adapted version of something Japanese.

-By William C. Hu and David Lei

Technorati Tags: Cat, Mao, ill omen, insincere, auspicious symbol, 蠶貓

There is an English expression, ‘Two birds with one stone’. However, this same idea is expressed in Chinese as Yi-jian-shuang-diao or Shooting two hawks with one arrow, and is an expression found in the Pei-shih or the official history of the Northern -Wei dynasty, 386-605 A.D., written by the Tang (唐 táng) historian, Li Yen-shou. In an historical anecdote, the following is related.

During the period of the Epoch of the division of the North and South (南北朝 nán běi cháo), 420-589 A.D., there was a general serving the Northern-Chou State (北周 běi zhōu), named Chang Sun Sheng (長孫晟 cháng sūn shèng). He was not only astute in military science and the art of war, but was also very good in archery. One year, his sovereign, King Xuan (宣帝 xuān dì) ordered him to escort a princess to the northwestern Turkish kingdom of She-tu (攝圖 shè tú) to become the bride of that kingdom’s ruler.

After accomplishing his mission, but before leaving to his native State, Chang Sun Sheng was asked to accompany the Turkish ruler on a hunt. The Turkish ruler had heard about the Chinese general’s skill in archery and wanted to see for himself exactly what level of skill he possessed. Seeing two hawks contending for food in the sky, the Turkish ruler gave Chang Sun Sheng two arrows and asked him to shoot down the birds with them. The Chinese general complied and brought down the two hawks with one single arrow to the ruler’s amazement.

This recorded episode became known as Yi-jian-shuang-diao, similar to the statement getting two birds with one stone, and is illustrated as two hawks being pierced with an arrow. The expression is said of getting two separate results in one go and is a compliment of one’s outstanding achievement of succeeding in several tasks simultaneously with sill and talent. It is the expression for achieve a dual purpose.

The dove and a pigeon is very similar, in fact the former is a kind of pigeon, so that it is generally grouped together and called in Chinese as Ge (鴿 gē). However, in colloquial Chinese, there is a distinction made with the word Ge, meaning a pigeon and the dove as Jiu (鳩 pinyin:jiū) or Banjiu (斑鳩 bān jiū) for the turtle dove. It is because of this generalization that the two types of birds have been mistaken.

Although there are a number of different types of doves, nevertheless, they differ very little in form or shape, all being small and rounded with rather drab colored feathers, with not having bright variegated feathers. Nevertheless, they appear cute and cuddly so it is adored. One of the characteristics of the dove is to gather in flocks.

In the 3rd century B.C., at the fall of the Qin (秦 qín) dynasty, there were two rivals contending to become Emperor, namely, Xiangyu (項羽 xiàng yǔ) and Liubang (劉邦 liú bāng). The latter, as a minor official of the Qin dynasty, had rebelled and raised a large following, which joined forces with the main anti-Qin army under its leader, Xiangyu. The two mean soon fell out; whereas Liubang had ordered moderation towards the defeated Qin, forbidding looting and sparing his royal captives, while Xiangyu had the capital Xianyang (咸陽 xián yáng ) destroyed and the entire Qin family slaughtered.

The conflict between them was more than a question of personalities, it was a battle of the aristocrat and the peasant. The fall of the dynasty had revived the ambitions and rivalry of the former feudal states and the aristocratic Xiangyu attempted to restore the former kingdoms under the imperial rule of his own Chu (楚 chǔ)state. Liubang, king of Han (漢 hàn), opposed this return to feudalism and from his strong base in Sichuan (四川 sì chuān) embarked on the conquest of China, which in 206 B.C. he was successful in his cause and founded the Han dynasty.

According to the work of popular folk customs and beliefs, entitled, Fengsutong (風俗通 fēng sú tōng), after an early encounter with Xiangyu, the defeated Liubang fled into a forested area to seek cover and re-organize his troops. Xiangyu was in pursuit and hearing the cooing of the doves, and believing that the enemy was gathered there, directed an attack only to discover the area empty of men. Therefore, Liubang was able to make his escape. After Liubang became the Emperor, he granted staffs with an image of a dove atop called Jiuzhang (鳩杖jiū zhàng) to the elderly.

The term, Jiuzhang or ‘dove staff’ is often mistakenly translated as ‘pigeon staff’ by western scholars. The reason why a dove was depicted on top of the staff was that it was both a reminder to the Emperor GaoZu (高祖 gāo zǔ)of his benefactor, the dove which allowed him to make his escape and fight another day in successfully defeating the enemy and establishing a new rule and dynasty. Therefore, the dove was a symbol of longevity and an auspicious symbol.

Moreover the reason for bestowing the ‘dove staff’ to the elderly is because the dove is considered a bird which does not choke on his food or unable to swallow food, Buyezhiniao (不噎之鳥 bù yē zhī niǎo)

Therefore, it was a wish for the elderly to enjoy good health and good appetite in gaining longevity. In the section on rites and rituals section of the Houhanshu (後漢書 hòu hàn shū), the history of the Latter-Han dynasty, 25-220 A.D., it notes that, during the 8th lunar month, the government officials of the prefectures, and sub-divisions would evaluate the people and those seventy years of age would be given a Yuzhang (玉杖 yù zhàng) or jade staff, and given porridge to eat. Those eighty and ninety years of age would be bestowed a Yuzhang or jade staff, nine feet in length with a dove on top. The dove, is a bird that does not have problems in swallowing food, likewise it is also a wish for these elderly persons.

In as much as the dove symbolizes longevity and good health, nevertheless, the dove is used in a number of deprecatory phrases such as Jiuju (鳩居jiū jū, my humble abode but meaning to sponge on others, to occupy the nest of others. Another term Jiuxinggumian (鳩形鵠面 jiū xíng gǔ miàn) to look very thin and emaciated. However, a most common and popular remark is the term Jiuzhuo (鳩拙 jiū zhuó) to be as stupid as a dove which cannot make its own nest. Therefore the Chinese believe the dove to be eminently stupid and lascivious

-By William C. Hu and David Lei
 

Technorati Tags: Ge, 鴿, Jiu, 鳩, Banjiu, turtle dove, Jiuzhang, dove staff, Yuzhang, lascivious

The Lion, in Chinese is called Shi (獅 pinyin: shī) or Shizi , a term which has been advanced to have been derived as a transliteration of the first syllable from some Iranian language, possibly from the ancient Persian, Ser, Iranian, Sary, or even the Sanskrit, Sinha. It is generally held that the lion was first known in China during the great period of expansion and commercial penetration into Central Asia under the Former-Han dynasty, 206 B.C.-24 A.D.

In the light of the continuously accumulating evidence of archaeological finds revealing much earlier inter-communications between China, Central and Western Asia, it would seem strange that no information whatsoever was possessed by the Chinese in the pre-Han dynasty era concerning the mighty king of beasts.

In the ancient Chinese dictionary, Erhya (爾雅 ěr yǎ), there is an ancient and probably indigenous Chinese term for the lion. This term is Suanni (狻猊 suān ní), described as a light-colored tiger (or feline) which eats other tigers and leopards’, and identified by the earliest commentators with the Han lion, Shizi. It was probably in a period when communications became disrupted that the earlier term disappeared from the Chinese vocabulary and the lion became linguistically extinct in China until it was resuscitated under another name during the Han period, 206 B.C.-220 A.D.

To the Chinese, the lion was not only considered the king of beasts, but was also regarded as a symbol of power and good fortune. In reference to its earlier name, Sunanni, the lion is believed to be eighth descendant of the Dragon, Longshengjiuzi (龍生九子 lóng shēng jiǔ zǐ). As such, it was considered a sacred animal Shengshou (聖獸 shèng shòu) and had the powers of protection to drive away evil. From the Han dynasty onwards, stone sculptures of lions were used as temple guardians and as decorations for government buildings. The art motives of lions were also found in popular folk art.

In Buddhism, the lion is regarded as the defender of law and protector of sacred buildings. The Boddhisattva of Wisdom, Manjusri (文殊菩薩 wén shū pú sà) is always depicted mounted on a lion. Wherever the Buddha sits is called the Lion Throne and the voice of Buddha is called Lion’s Roar. Therefore, there is a close affinity and association of the lion with Buddhism in both art and symbolism.

Guardian lions are always in pairs. The male is featured with one paw on a ball, which represents the dual powers of nature and the precious jewel which gives life, while the female has a paw over a young cub lion. The lioness is neither playing with her cub nor keeping it in line, however, she is feeding the youngster. There is an ancient legend relating that the lion produces milk from its paws, and therefore, the lion cub is being suckled by its mother, so that the claws should be correctly represented as in the mouth of the youngster. With the displaying or placement of the Guardian Lions, it is imperative that they be placed correctly. The Chinese have a saying, Nanzuonuyou (男左女右 nán zuǒ nǚ yòu ), literally, the male on the left the female on the right. However, it is a reference to stage right and stage left, which means that facing the pair of lions, the male should be on the viewer’s right and the female on the left.

Oftentimes, there is a mistake in placing the Guardian Lions, which the Chinese believe would bring about Bad Luck and commonly called Tiecuomenshen (貼錯門神 tiē cuò mén shén), reversing the order of the door guardians and Yinyangdaoluan (陰陽倒亂 yīn yáng dǎo luàn), the mixed-up of the Yin and Yang elements. An easy method of remembering this is the written Chinese character, Hao (好 hǎo) ,or Good, with the female on the left and the male on the right. There is a popular Chinese folk dance called Shiziwu (獅子舞 shī zi wǔ), whereby two persons dance in a costume of a lion with a colorful cloth and papier mache head, and a another postures in front with a large ball called Xiuqiu (繡球 xiù qiú), or embroidered ball, representing the dual powers of nature as a precious jewel. The lion sports with the ball and the dance is called Shizikunqiu. Sometimes, more than a single lion is featured.

The lion, called Shī, is the homonym for the word meaning master, teacher or official and so it has been used in symbolically forming rebuses. In addition, the term Shih is also a homonym for the word meaning generation and used in that capacity.

-By William C. Hu and David Lei

Technorati Tags: Lion, Shizi, Suanni, Dragon, 龍生九子, 聖獸, Manjusri, 文殊菩薩, Guardian Lions, Yin and Yang, Xiuqiu

A fabulously fierce beast called Pixiu (貔貅 pí xiū), is believed to be more powerful than the lion or any other animal, and in ancient literature, it is referred to as Mengshou (猛獸 měng shòu) or ‘Fierce Beast’ and enters into popular folklore and folk belief that it is a guardian animal that stands for fair-lay and right.

In the Shizhouji (十洲記 shí zhōu jì), contained in the huge Taoist compilation Daocang (道藏 dào cáng), it notes that: In the third year of the reign Zhenghe (征和 zhēng hé ) [90 B.C.], when the Han Emperor Hanwudi (漢武帝 hàn wǔ dì) visited An-ting, the King of the Western barbarians, offered a ‘Fierce Beast’ (Mengshou) that resembled a fifty or sixty day-old puppy, as large as a civet but brown in color. He ordered his envoy to present it to the Emperor. When the Emperor saw the envoy holding it as if it were a dog which looked emaciated, hairless and weak, he doubted the genuineness of the tribute.

He asked the envoy, “Can this little animal be trained? Why is it called a Fierce Beast?” “It is actually more fearsome than any of the hundred beast,” replied the envoy. “It must not be criticized on account of its size, for the divine unicorn’s kinship over the elephant, the phoenix’s precedence over the great bird, and the centipede’s dominion over the flying snake also do not depend on size. The ‘Fierce Beast’ exorcises demons [that cause] a hundred evils.” Ashamed and ill-at-ease, Emperor Wu then asked the envoy what method the ‘Fierce Beast’ used to attack other animals, what it ate, what its strength could be compared to, and what country it lived in.

The envoy replied, “As for the ‘Fierce Beast’s origins, some beasts live in Kunlun (崑崙 kūn lún), some in Xuanpu(玄圃 xuán pǔ), some in Jukuzhou (聚窟洲 jù kū zhōu), and some in Tianlu (天禄 tiān lù). It does not exhaust its life-span, it feeds on air and drinks dew, understand human speech, is humane, intelligent, loyal, and forgiving. As for its humanity, it loves and protects the lower orders so that they are not harmed by tigers and leopards. As for its fearsomeness, with a single cry it can subdue a thousand men, frighten the various domestic animals and the hundred creatures into breaking their tethers, and make soldiers lose their strength all at once. As for its wondrousness, it can put forth wind and clouds and cough up rain and dew, so that the hundred demons scatter in flight and river dragons jump out of the way. It resides in the stables of the Most High; it tames the lion and is named ‘Fierce Beast’. Its spirit-transformations without constancy, it can be considered the lord and master even of great birds; moreover, it is the primal king of the Chüeh-t’ien and the marshal of the Pixiu or griffin. ”

The Pixiu is always represented as a pair, both male and female. It is so fierce that it is a term used for brave troops. It is usually sculpt as ceramic figurines with curls for hair and oftentimes with little white pearl-like dots on the ends. It looks like a puppy with large eyes and seemed very innocent and tame. It is a symbol that brings good fortune so that gamblers usually have a pair prominently displayed in the gambling parlors and dens with a couple that fair play and no fear of any cheating, Pixiuzuozhen (貔貅坐鎮 pí xiū zuò zhèn). Also, small images in unglazed pottery are carried by gamblers for good luck. In addition, there is also a dance, which is similar to the Lion Dance called Wupixiu (舞貔貅 wǔ pí xiū).

By William C. Hu and David Lei

Technorati Tags: Pixiu, Mengshou, Shizhouji, Lion Dance, Wupixiu, Chinese mythical creature, lucky animals, Chinese lucky symbols, fengshui, good luck charm

The Chinese Lion Dance, Wushi (舞獅 pinyin:wǔ shī), as we know it today, has a continuous history of some on thousand years. However, the first record of the performance of an early and more primitive form of the Lion Dance dates back to the early Qin (秦 pinyin:qín) and Han (漢 pinyin:hàn) dynasties, or to the third millennium B.C.

This highly distinctive masked dance was made up of various elements – music, song,recitation and movement – some of which as individual items had existed in China for over a thousand years before the Song (宋 pinyin: sòng) dynasty (10th Century) when it became more popular. The final formation of the Lion Dance appears to have resulted from the merging of two existing forms: exorcism ritual dances wit the refined court entertainment of acrobatics and gymnastics with a martial air into a dance drama. These were later incorporated as a folk dance with the skills and techniques of the martial arts, which has given rise to the modern Lion Dance.

The Chinese immigrants brought the Lion Dance with them whenever they settled and thus made it world renown. Accepted by all Asians, it is not merely a tolerated pastime, but a very serious activity for the entire community. In the consecration of temples, new businesses, planting and harvesting, celebration of official acknowledgment and public recognition, festivals, religious rites, happy and joyous occasions, victory – for all these and more, the Lion Dance plays an essential role.

The Lion Dance of Caiqing (採青 pinyin:cǎi qīng), or “getting the greens”, becomes a microcosm which epitomizes human struggles and survival. All human emotions and expressions are portrayed in the Lion Dance such as lust, joy, frustration, sadness, puzzlement, satisfaction, attainment and happiness. The Lion Dance relates to the struggles of Man with Nature and Society. It is a positive and uplifting manner for significantly viewing life itself. The popular contention that the Lion Dance is only to chase evil should be expanded. Like a tiger roaming in the woods, the mere presence of feeling the aura of the Lion is enough to drive away all malevolence. Besides this great luminous radiation, the Lion is an agent of Heaven and is the harbinger of joy and happiness and all that is good.

-By William C. Hu
 

Technorati Tags: Lion Dance, Wushi, 舞獅, Qin, 秦, Han, 漢, Song, 宋, Caiqing, 採青

In front of the main gate, Tienanmen (天安門 pinyin:tiān ān mén), the Gate of Heavenly Peace, of the Imperial palace in Beijin China, there is a tall and ornate pillar, which the Chinese call Huabiao (华表 pinyin:huá biǎo). High above on top of this carved stone column sits a fabulous creature called Wangtienhou (望天吼 pinyin:wàng tiān hǒu). It resembles a dragon but is not a dragon, nor is it claimed to be one of the nine descendants of the dragon.

It is, however, considered sacred and given esteemed reverence. Perched high on a carved column that resembles a totem pole with wings, this creature stands guard and watches every movement of the Emperor. In addition, whenever the Emperor should leave the Imperial palace, he becomes a reminder and an admonished for the Emperor not to indulge in recklessness and become un-cultivated, discarding and neglecting decorum and engage in being a profligate and dissipated, given to debauchery.

Since the Wangtienhou resembles a lion and it stands for all things auspicious, his messages from above, reflect the voice from Heaven. This has been symbolized by the populace in the Lion Dance of the lion climbing up on a tall pole and from the heights, drops from the lion’s mouth, a banner of good wishes and auspicious sayings.

- By William C. Hu and David Lei

Technorati Tags: Tienanmen, Huabiao, Wangtienhou, 望天吼, dragon, Lion Dance, mythical creatures, fenshui, lucky charms, travel, beijin, point of interest in beijin, must see in Beijin

A fabulous beast called Xiezhi (獬豸 pinyin:xiè zhì), by the Chinese, is described as being somewhat like a unicorn and a dragon, although with a singular horn and cleft-foot like a goat, which has the ability to discriminate between right and wrong and destroys the wicked by biting or goring them. It is believed to live in the wilds and is said to be fire-eating even to its own destruction. Since it also looks like a goat, it is also called Shenyang (神羊 pinyin:shén yáng).

This fabulous creature stood for justice and in the work on legal cases of the Tang (唐 pinyin:táng) dynasty, entitled, T’ang-yin pi-shih, it is recorded and described as a single-horned goat, that appears whenever there was a wrongly accused person who had been misjudged by the judicial system. In a much earlier work, by Wangchong (王充 pinyin:wáng chōng), entitled Lunheng (論衡 pinyin:lún héng), it is described also a a goat with a single horn, who is able to judge as to the innocent and guilty, and bites and gores the guilty. During both the Ming (明 pinyin:míng) and Qing (清pinyin:qīng) dynasties, it was used as an insignia for civil officials, and a badge of Didu (提督 pinyin:dī dū) or circuit intendant.

In addition it was the emblem for governmental censors. The Xiezhi was the symbol of an upright and honest person, as well as a protector of the court in determining justice. It is a most auspicious symbol that has been both carved, sculpt and painted to decorate halls and courtrooms. This animal is revered and most endeared that there is a dance created, which is similar to the lion dance performed mostly in the South and called in Cantonese as Hai-zai.

This justice animal, is also used as a roof ornament and placed ont he ridge of the eaves, usually behind the Suanni (狻猊 pinyin:suān ní) and before the Douniu (鬥牛 pinyin:dòu niú) pottery roof figures.

-By William C. Hu and David Lei

Technorati Tags: Xiezhi, 獬豸, Shenyang, single-horned goat, emblem, auspicious symbol, justice animal, roof ornament

In ancient times, on the walls of the Yamen (衙門 pinyin:yá mén) or Chinese courthouses, there is a painting of a fabulous beast. This mythical beast has a head resembling a dragon, scaled body like a unicorn, hoofed feet like an ox and a long tail like that of a donkey. It bears no resemblance to any other specific animal, but a composite of several. The beast is usually depicted with his fore feet placed guardedly on eight different precious objects babao (八宝 pinyin:bā bǎo), namely a large flaming pearl, lozenge, stone chime, pair of rhinoceros horns, coin, mirror, book and leaf. On the upper left hand corner of the picture is a large red sphere, representing a blazing sun. Although this beast had all these precious objects, he was unsatisfied and wanted to have the glowing sun as his possession, which led to his demise by drowning while attempting to get hold of its reflection in the water.

Although this depiction had been known earlier, it was not standardized until the Zhou (周 pinyin:zhōu) dynasty, 1122-221 B.C. and named formally as Tan (貪 pinyin:tān), or avaricious. In 221 B.C. when Qinshihuangdi (秦史皇帝 pinyin:qín shǐ huáng dì) unified the country and declared himself the first Emperor of a unified Empire, In order to govern the Empire with a centralized rule and laws, there was created a bureaucratic organization, of which were many Yamen or courthouses operating on various levels of governmental strata. In creating and dispersing the large number of magistrates and officials to various locales, it was ordered that on the wall behind each judicial bench, there was to have a large painting of which was called Tan, or ‘Avaricious’.

Like the Wangtienhou or Admonished Animal which is a symbol of The Emperor, the Tan was a reminder and warning against avariciousness for the officials and magistrates. These were considered auspicious beasts which admonishes of being aware of propriety and a good moral code of conduct.

- By William C. Hu and David Lei

Technorati Tags: Yamen, Chinese courthouses, babao, Tan, Qinshihuangdi, Avaricious, auspicious beasts