Intensive knowledge output, what does tiger mean to the Chinese?

The tiger is one of the twelve zodiac animals and ranks third. Its earthly branch is Yin, so it is called the Yin tiger.

In China, the tiger is known as the "king of beasts".

Chinese people have worshipped tigers since ancient times and admired their bravery and strength.

So, what does the tiger mean to the Chinese?

In Chinese culture, the tiger symbolizes bravery, power, the ability to ward off evil, and good luck.

"The tiger is a yang creature, the leader of all beasts, able to fight and defeat the strong, and devour ghosts and monsters."

——"Customs and Meanings·Sacrificial Ceremony"

Tiger culture is one of the earliest totem cultures. The totem worship and cultural legends about tigers are a cultural phenomenon of the Chinese nation to communicate between humans and gods, connect with nature, pray for blessings and ward off evil. In many Chinese ethnic historical legends, people regard tigers as the god of creation and the ancestor of human reproduction.

In ancient Chinese writing, the character "tiger" first appeared in oracle bone inscriptions, which depicted the shape of a tiger with colorful patterns on its body. The upper part was the tiger's head, and the lower part was the shape of the tiger's body and tail.

"The tiger is the king of mountain beasts. It is derived from the Chinese character for tiger, and its feet resemble human feet, which is a pictographic image."

——"Shuowen Jiezi"

Shang Dynasty "Dingyou Divine Tiger" Oracle Bone Tablet Chongqing China Three Gorges Museum

In ancient Chinese agricultural society, the tiger was one of the "Four Auspicious Beasts". It could "drive away evil and suppress evil spirits" and had the meaning of protecting the gods.

During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, tiger patterns began to be used on bronze ware. This is one of the earliest and longest-used traditional Chinese patterns. Generally, the side profile of a tiger is used, with its mouth wide open and its tail curled up.

The ancient Chinese worshipped tigers very much, especially in the military field. Because the image of the tiger is majestic, it is often used to praise brave and skilled soldiers in the army.

In addition, it is also a symbol of power and strength. The certificate used by ancient Chinese emperors to dispatch troops was made in the shape of a tiger, called a tiger token.

The tiger talisman first appeared in the Spring and Autumn Period. At that time, a copper tiger-shaped talisman was used as a certificate for mobilizing troops issued by the central government to local officials or garrison leaders. There was an inscription on the back of the talisman and it was divided into two halves. The right half was kept in the court, and the left half was issued to generals in command of troops or local governors. Each talisman was used for a specific purpose, and one place had one talisman. When mobilizing troops and dispatching generals, the two halves had to be checked and verified before it could take effect.

Warring States Period Gold-Inlaid Du Tiger Tally Shaanxi History Museum

Throughout China's long history, there have been people who have become famous for their ability to paint tigers.

In the hearts of ordinary Chinese people, the tiger is a symbol of justice, bravery, and majesty, and can drive away disasters and evil.

The image of the tiger is omnipresent in all areas of traditional culture, including folk tales, folk art, and folk opera.

As early as the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, tiger patterns were already used on roof tiles in buildings, including running tiger patterns and two tigers playing patterns. The "divine tiger guarding the house" reveals people's good wishes to conquer evil forces and protect a happy life.

Pottery white tiger pattern tile The Palace Museum

Children wear tiger-head hats and shoes to scare away evil spirits and protect their safety.

During the Dragon Boat Festival on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, people often hang mugwort tigers on their doors or on their bodies to ward off evil spirits and filth.

Similarly, when Chinese people celebrate the New Year, they not only put up door gods, but also like to put up tigers on the doors. In traditional folk beliefs, tigers can ward off evil spirits, which caters to people's desire for peace and happiness.

"Fengsu Tongyi" records: People paint tigers on their doors in the hope of warding off evil and regard tigers as a symbol of protecting people's peaceful lives.

For thousands of years, people have worshipped tigers, using them to protect their homes, treasures, and to drive away evil. The image of the tiger has been extended to areas such as folk culture, daily necessities, artworks, and place names, forming a unique Chinese tiger culture.

In the thousand-year development process of Chinese culture, the image of the tiger has not disappeared due to the changes of the times. Instead, it has been polished by history and has been constantly reborn.

2022 is the Year of the Tiger in the lunar calendar. Let us be blessed with good fortune together!

Moe

Tiger

deliver

blessing

Planning: Qian Tong

Producer: Liu Juan

Producer: Li Xiaoyun

Executive Planning: Wang Yunxia, ​​Qiu Bingchen

Director: Wang Yunxia, ​​Wen Yue

Later period: Yao Yuan, Zhu Shaojie, Qiu Bingchen, Tian Zeyang, Duan Lihong

Design: Wang Yajing and Tian Su

Voiced by: Li Ang

Coordinator: Hu Yanzhu

Editor: Wen Yue

Proofreading: Guo Jianwei

Special thanks to: Zodiac 34

Source: Xinhuanet Sike