Taiping has a kind of traditional auspicious pattern of the Han people, and the book "The Biography of Wang Mang" says that "the world is too peaceful, and the grain is ripe". Therefore, Taiping has the meaning of taiping under the heavens and the abundance of grain.
The auspicious meaning of the elephant comes from the Western Han Dynasty, and the term "Taiping Has Elephant" originates from the Southern Song Dynasty, and its image is born from the white elephant treasure in the Seven Treasures of Tibetan Buddhism, which was produced in the Ming Dynasty and popular in the Qing Dynasty. The qing emperors embraced Tibetan Buddhism, and the establishment and development of the office made the image of the Taiping elephant in court art very diverse. Taiping symbolizes the ruling ideals of the royal family members and the hope of ordinary people.
▌ Taiping has the meaning of an elephant
Elephants have become mascots around the world because of their honest and loyal image, and in traditional Chinese culture, elephants are harmonized with xiang characters, so elephants are given more auspicious meanings. Since ancient times, elephants have been known as elephant gods and auspicious elephants to send wealth. Its fat posture and steady pace indicate that the mascot owner has a solid foundation and can develop in an orderly manner. The elephant's temperament is good at attracting wealth, helping to absorb wealth from all directions, and at the same time helping to reduce the resistance to the development of the cause, sweeping away all obstacles on the road and reaching the peak of success.
▌ Taiping has an image of an elephant artifact
In ancient Times, China's Shang Dynasty has begun to tame elephants, and elephants have naturally become the mascots of the Shang people. In the bronzes of the Shang Dynasty, elephant-shaped elephant figures appeared.
▌ [Shang] Bronze elephant statue
The White Elephant Treasure, one of the Seven Treasures of the Tang and Song Dynasties, or the Taiping Elephant Image, is the source of the image. The White Elephant Treasure is a treasure that accompanies the birth of the Wheel King, it can "go all over the world in one day, go all over the world, go back to the twilight, and never tire", after being introduced to the Han Dynasty, the White Elephant Treasure and the Seven Treasures appear as offerings to Shakyamuni and Guanyin Bodhisattva.
▌ [7th century] "Seven Treasures Show" Xinjiang Kyzyl 123 cave back room Yongdao coupon top
▌[DaliGuo] Zhang Shengwen's "Brahman Scrolls" (partial) Collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei
The Ming Dynasty was a period of harmony in Sino-Tibetan art, and the White Elephant Treasure was combined with the Mani Three Jewels, such as the White Elephant Gem Carving of Wutaishan Xiantong Temple, and the White Elephant Waslet in a Jar containing the glowing Mani Three Jewels.
▌[Ming] White Elephant Gem Carving WutaiShan Xiantong Temple
In Ming court art, the Three Jewels of Mani were replaced by Chema of Rhinoceros Horn, Conch, Coral, Lotus, and Jewel. Chema is also translated as "cornucopia", "folk crafts are indirectly influenced by Tibetan Buddhist art from Tibet and other Tibetan areas because of the imitation of court craftsmanship", and in the folk study of court art, there must be a certain degree of subjective creation. The white elephant treasure and chema in folk art have been remodeled into the image of the tribute elephant, such as a Hu man holding a white elephant in the "Gongxiang Tu" in the National Palace Museum in Taipei, and the elephant has a chema on his body, and there are not only treasures such as corals, conchs, and jewels in chema, but also a tall white porcelain vase with tassels on the top and a seated Buddha on the abdomen. At the end of the evolution, the bottle gained independence and the Chema disappeared, and the elephant directly carried the vase, attaching the popular folk term "Taiping Elephant" to the shape, and then the image of the Taiping Elephant was truly formed.
▌[Ming] Bronze three-elephant foot smoker Collection of the Capital Museum
▌[Ming] GongxiangTu, Collection of the National Palace Museum, Taipei
▌[Ming] Xiangzun Collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei
The emperor of the Qing Dynasty believed in Tibetan Buddhism, and the Taiping elephants associated with the white elephant treasure were popular in the Qing Palace, with a variety of utensils and styles, rich shapes and decorations, and perfection.
▌[Qing] Tire enamel Taiping has an elephant incense burner In the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing
▌[Qing] Enamel Taiping has an elephant in the collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei
▌[Qing] Taiping has an elephant python robe collected by the Palace Museum in Beijing
▌[Qing] Cui Taiping has an elephant chime in the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing
▌[Qing] Qingyu Elephant, Tianjin Museum Collection
▌[Qing] Qingyu Elephant Collection of the National Palace Museum in Taipei
▌[Qing] Jasper Taiping has an elephant in the collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing
▌[Qing] Bamboo carving elephant zuntai Collection of the Palace Museum in Beijing
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The Age of Burial Jade: Dharma Heaven and Earth, for the sake of eternal life
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"Yuan Yue Yuan, Fang Yue Cang": Han Dynasty Tao Cang
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