The Coolest Thing I’ve Found About Oriental Furniture

Those that have a love for Chinese art and antiques are surely attracted to the items based on their beautiful visual appearance. Along with the form and design of the antiques, the etched symbols add to their beauty and, also, make them undoubtedly mesmerizing. Undoubtedly many prize these symbols for their aesthetic beauty, but how many really know what these symbols really mean and represent? The following offers a brief overview of the meaning behind these symbols.

Oriental furniture often include carvings of objects that symbolize the many ancient Gods in Chinese cultural history. Since Chinese history dates back to the year 3,000 BC, it is no surprise that many of the gods and goddesses represented in the symbols are linked to the many different cultural aspects of human behavior over the years. Human emotions dictate how these gods will be depicted. There are two tiers of Gods, the top tier known as the Stellar Triad and the second tier referred to as the 8 Immortals. Oftentimes, evidence of them are seen in antiques and art. Examples of gods, and what they symbolize, are: Hexiangu (Marital Union), Lu Dongbin (Freer of greed and lust), Zaojun (Tranquility in the domestic establishment), Xi(happiness), etc.

Animals: With a good amount of Chinese cultural history being associated with knowledge of the natural world, it is easy to see why so many animals show up in the antiques. Many of these symbols, which depict animals that are uniquely indigenous to China, have a special significance – monkeys for human spirit; bats for good luck; and turtles that represent immortality. Each and every animal is connected to a specific trait in a manner no different than how gods are depicted.

While representations of flowers, fruits and vegetables make it seem like these symbols fall into many different categories, they really serve to represent the entire vast collective of the natural world itself that is so prevalent in these antiques. While many of these symbols are varied, a number of them have the same meaning because – as mentioned – they are tied back to the representation of the singular entity of nature. Longevity is represented by a number of different items, such as bamboo, pine, and mushrooms. And longevity is, of course, linked heavily to the natural world. Other common depictions include flowers for wealth, peach for joy, and lotuses for progeny.

There are other miscellaneous symbols that make their way into the antiques and artwork of China. Coins (wealth), water ripples (also wealth), fans (goodness), and the simple vase (peace) are all common symbols that are prevalent. Naturally, there are even more symbols than those shown, and their symbolism extends to many different ideas.

These magnificent engravings, which are a true joy to the eye, only add to the astounding aesthetic value of these antiques, which were already greatly prized by most collectors in the first instance. This is why their inclusion is so welcome and increases the popularity of the items to a great degree.

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