On Chinese Traditional Auspicious Patterns

Chinese traditional auspicious patterns which have a long history and rich contents plays an important role in Chinese traditional culture. By employing basic methods of research history, this dissertation divides the evolution of Chinese traditional auspicious patterns into five stages with an effort to show the unique style and content of auspicious patterns in different historical times. The five stages are embryonic stage, shaping stage, growing stage, developing stage and summit stage. Then a thorough study of relationships is made, including the relationships between auspicious patterns and thoughts of politics and philosophy, culture of royal court, ancient scholastic temperament and taste, implication of folk custom, totem worship of all Chinese ethnic groups. In this way, this dissertation not only reveals the essential feature of traditional auspicious patterns, but also observes the changes of Chinese ancient society and traditional cultural mentality from a distinctive perspective. This dissertation holds that traditional auspicious patterns which stem from totems and glazed potteries of remote antiquity are the symbol of traditional culture of the Chinese nation. Because auspicious patterns, through their distinctive ethnic languages and decorative styles, contain the traditional cultural mentality, carry people's pursuit of a happy life, express nice messages and bring us the yearn for a wonderful life and a spiritual sustenance. heir features of transcending time and space and class are two basic elements to make auspicious patterns themselves live longer. The capacity of bearing Chinese traditional culture and showing differences among all Chinese ethnic groups and different places make it possible that auspicious patterns have rich contents and profound implications. In addition, as an significant and indispensable cultural heritage, auspicious patterns have the function of psychological compensation, soothing the spirit and making money. In the last part of this dissertation, the importance of protecting auspicious patterns as an intangible cultural heritage is discussed and some specific suggestions about how to protect them effectively are given.