"Zhuangzi" "image" Theory

"Exhausting the meaning through images" is a common way of thinking and expression in Chinese traditional culture, it has a lot of cultural and artistic practice.Zhuang Zi contains a wealth of images. As a medium of expression, these images not only explain the philosophy and aesthetics of Zhuang Zi , complete the ideology construction of Zhuang Zi, but criticize Confucianism, the mainstream thoughts at that time.The concept "nature" from the image "human nature" of Zhuang Zi is interpreted according to the discussion of "inaction" and "true deeds", which is in contradiction with "Wang De" of Confucian philosophy and "promising" in Xing Zi Ming Chu of bamboo slips in Guodian. In terms of how to live and how to treat life, these images believe that "all things without success and destruction", which means life can not be limited to "useful" or "useless". They also advocate "let nature take its course", and respect for life, not die for honor. But Confucianism believes people alive is not only to have to be a gentleman, but to be a "high achievement of gentleman" and willing to die for righteousness or die to achieve virtue. Zi Yi of bamboo slips in Guodian said:"The gentleman can’t lose ambition when he is alive, and can’t loss honor when he dies."These questions all show the different thoughts of Confucianism and Taoism on the meaning of life. Zhuang Zi describes the images of “Kong Zi" in a fictional and artistic way. Besides, it also criticize the core content of benevolence and rituals advocated by Confucianism. After thinking and discussion about the human nature and life, the images finally rise to the exploration of "human" self-adaptation and settlement (the world). What’s more, they also achieve the goal of surpassing the Confucian philosophy.Human is always starting point and the end-result of Zhuang Zi’s philosophy, which confirmes that Zhuang Zi’s philosophy is the philosophy of life and political philosophy.Zhuang Zi’s artistic thought is consistent with its philosophy. In other words, the imagery expression of Zhuang Zi’s philosophy also covers the Zhuang Zi’s aesthetic thought. The aesthetic connotation of Zhuang Zi ’s images is mainly embodied in the view of beauty and the thought of great beauty. The beauty of the observation is the view of the Tao. To achieve the realm of the Tao, people need experience a series of psychological cultivation process, such as the "purifying heart" and "Forgetting Myself In Sitting". Therefore, people can devote themselves to literary creation through"forget", a virtual state of mind. Zhuang Zi’s great beauty is in line with the tranquil and simple beauty of Tao. This kind of aesthetic thought has a profound impact on later poetry and painting art.