Mascots

The Chinese have a relatively weak consciousness of religion.To pursue a better fortune and to avoid disaster,and pray for peace and happiness,the Chinese usually create some things which symbolize smoothness and luck and rely less on religion.These can be referred to as mascots.

These mascots take the shape of animals,plants and utensils.The most famous animal mascots include the Kylin,phoenix,dragon and tortoise,which are referred to as “four supernatural creatures” by the ancients.Among these,only the tortoise is an actual real animal.The other three were created by combining the characteristics of various animals using the imagination.

Mascots

The kylin is the most senior of the four creatures,and is the mount of God.It has the body of a deer,the feet of a horse,and the tail of a cow.Its body is covered in scales and a shell,with horns on its head,and meaty balls on the horns.In legend,the kylin is a kind of benevolent and virtuous beast.Although it has sharp horns,it never wants to hurt anything,even insects or grass.Emperors of all dynasties regarded it as a symbol of peace and prosperity.Later,as emperors began to pay more and more attention to the dragon,the kylin gradually assumed greater importance in civil society.It was then that the legend of “Kylins helping people have babies” began to spread among the people.The kylin not only helped people have babies,but also blessed them.Therefore,people often put kylin locks around the necks of infants to pray for long life.“Kylin” is often used to indicate an outstanding person.“Kylin Child” is a term used to praise other people’s children.The phrase “phoenix feathers and unicorn’s horn” is a metaphor for a rare and valuable person or thing.

The phoenix is the king of birds - beautiful and noble.Like the kylin,the phoenix only appears in an era of peace and prosperity.It is a symbol of auspiciousness,peace,political openness and fairness,as well as power and dignity.The names of all things related to the empress include the character of “Feng (phoenix)”.They include “phoenix body”,“phoenix crown”,and “phoenix sedan” and so on.Later,in civil society,the bride’s wedding dresses were often decorated with the pattern of phoenix.The phoenix crown on the bride’s head and the pattern of the phoenix on the dresses indicates good fortune and peace.The patterns of “prosperity brought about by the dragon and the phoenix” and “prosperity brought by the phoenix and the kylin” can be formed through the combination of phoenix and other mascots.The character “Feng” (“Phoenix”) can be often found in the names of girls.All Chinese parents hope their children can “become a dragon or phoenix” (“can have a bright future”).

The dragon ranks first among the four supernatural creatures.It has the head of an ox,the horns of a deer,the eyes of a shrimp,the talons of an eagle,the body of a snake,and the tail of a lion.Its whole body is covered in scales.It can walk on land,swim in the water,and fly in the air.It is so divine and magic that it can control the forces of nature.Since the Han Emperor Liu Bang’s (256 BC-195 BC) called himself the incarnation of the dragon,all other emperors followed his lead.The dragon is a symbol of power and dignity.The names of things related to the emperor often contain the character “Long” (“dragon”).They include “Long Yan” (“facial expression”),“Long Ti” (“imperial body”),“Long Pao” (“imperial robe”),and “Long Yi” (“imperial chair”),and so on.Ordinary people also regard the dragon as the embodiment of virtue and strength,and value its ability to control the forces of nature.The character “dragon” can often be seen in the names of boys.During festivals and holidays,people often paddle dragon boats and do the dragon lantern dance,and so on.In addition to authority,it is also a symbol of good luck or wealth.Many people put dragon ornaments in their homes,in particular jade dragons,which are particularly auspicious.The dragon is a symbol of the Chinese nation.All Chinese people around the world regard themselves as descendants of the dragon.

The tortoise is the only mascot that is a real animal.It has the longest life among all animals,so people regard it as a symbol of longevity.Because of its longevity and experience,people think it has the ability to predict the future.In ancient times,people would use the tortoise to practice divination in serious times.Based on the cracks in roasted tortoise shells,people would divine good or ill fortunes.Therefore,the tortoise is also known as the “divine tortoise” or the “sagacious tortoise.” In the past,the tortoise was extremely respected.Tortoises made of stone or bronze could be found in imperial palaces,the houses and tombs of ancient emperors,to symbolize the lasting fortunes of the country.The names of many people also include the character “tortoise”.Tortoise-shaped official seals appeared in the Han Dynasty (206 BC-220 AD),and tortoise-shaped tallies appeared in the Tang Dynasty (618-907).Different materials such as gold,silver and bronze,indicate the different statuses of people wearing ornaments.“Gold Tortoise Son-in-Law” refers to a husband with a noble identity.However,after the Tang Dynasty,the tortoise’s reputation began to suffer somewhat.If a wife was unfaithful,her husband was called a “tortoise” (“cuckold”).

In addition to the four supernatural creatures,the crane and deer are also mascots which embody good wishes.In civil society,people think the crane is a fairy bird,and the deer is an auspicious animal.The ancients believed: if the emperor could manage state affairs in the right way,and establish a logical administration and a harmonious people,a white deer would appear.The pronunciation of “deer” is the same as that of “Lu” as in “Guan Lu”.So it frequently appears in the picture of “the god of fortune,the god of prosperity,and the god of longevity”.Most Taoist immortals used cranes or deer as their mounts.The crane is beautiful and elegant,and gentle.“He Ming Zhi Shi” refers to a person who preserves his or her moral integrity and noble character; “He Fa Tong Yan” refers to an old person in good health and enjoying longevity; “Jia He Xi You” means the death of an old person.The combination of crane and pine can be often found in traditional paintings,because both of them symbolize longevity.Auspicious animals also include magpies announcing good news,and toads representing wealth.“Fish” has the pronunciation “Yu”,so it is perceived as a symbol of wealth.There must always be fish at a New Year’s Eve dinner.

Auspicious plants include: the pine,bamboo and mume flower,which are called the “Three Friends of Winter”; mume flower,orchid,bamboo,chrysanthemum,are called the “Four Gentlemen”.Throughout the winter,the pine remains evergreen; the mume flower defies frost and snow; the orchid is quiet and beautiful; the bamboo is firm and tenacious; the chrysanthemum is simple and elegant.All of these are symbols of a noble character,and also common subject matters used in the works of poets and writers.The locust tree represents official status; the orange tree has an auspicious meaning; the pomegranate tree symbolizes the blessings of children; the Chinese flowering crabapple symbolizes harmonious brotherhood; the lily also known as “Song Zi Xian” means “a harmonious union lasting a hundred years”.

Among auspicious utensils,the most famous is Ruyi,a room ornament and a symbol of good luck.Ruyi originally had a practical meaning.But it is inconclusive in terms of concrete forms.Some say it is a tickling thing; some say it is a scepter used by ancient officials when meeting the emperor; some say it is a musical instrument used by monks.Later,Ruyi became a utensil purely used for fun.Because of its auspicious name,Ruyi is often given as a gift.Ruyi is often combined with other things to express an auspicious meaning.For example,if Ruyi is put in the middle of two persimmons,it means that “everything has come off satisfactorily”.If it is put together with cypress and persimmon,it means “good luck”.If it is put together with persimmon and evergreen,it means “good luck in everything”.

The Chinese pay a lot of attention to the concept of luck,especially good luck.Attaching importance to life and pursuit of longevity and general well-being,are the eternal themes of Chinese mascots.