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The ancients met friends with calligraphy and painting, and tasted tea. Burn incense in the ashram, watch the green smoke, and play the piano as a companion. Clothes need incense, need incense to warm, read with incense as a friend, and be alone with incense.
The ancients and incense have never been inseparable. As you peruse the culture of incense and understand the knowledge behind the incense burner, you will find that the ingenuity of the ancients is hidden in various parts of the utensils.
Today, we will talk about the exquisite ear of the incense burner.
Bridge ears
Yue Cai Zheng Ji model eel yellow glaze bridge ear three-legged furnace Qing Dynasty
The bridge ear furnace is called a bridge ear furnace because the two ears stand obliquely upwards on the mouth edge, and the face is like an arch bridge. The bridge is a medium, has the meaning of accessibility, and is widely favored by officials and business figures. The bridge ear also has the meaning of pudu and enlightenment. According to legend, Emperor Ming of Han once personally visited the Guozijian and ordered The Doctor to offer a wine sacrifice to open an altar to teach the history of the scriptures, when the circle was facing the bridge gate and sitting around the door to listen to the lectures, as many as 10,000 people, the grand situation was unprecedented. Guozijian was the highest institution of learning in the empire, and the Xuande Ding Yi Genealogy (eight volumes) records the bridge ear furnace as follows: "A member of the Guozi Supervisor Yamen gave a bridge ear great Yi furnace."
Ear punch
The special exhibition of copper furnaces in the Ming and Qing dynasties was unveiled at the Tianjin Museum
The ear-punching furnace has the most ancient Bronze Ding Yi wind of the Shang Zhou Dynasty, and the furnace ear is spread upwards in a prayer posture, which has the meaning of listening to the heavens. Therefore, any temple of god and Buddha, a hall of study, and all those who express their devotion and admiration can be placed. The ear-punching furnace is also a favored furnace type in the Xuande furnace, it is simple and elegant, not attached, not embellished, just the shape of the drum belly qiao ear is generous enough and clear. The belly of the furnace is full, the furnace ears are spread upwards in a prayer posture, the furnace mouth and the neck are gentle and rounded, the shape of the instrument is correct, the oil is moist and lovely, solemn and simple.
Towards the crown ear
"Three-legged crown ear iron incense burner" Mid-Qing Dynasty cast iron neck curved abdomen The furnace body is round and full, and it is a three-bent leg column foot
The crown ear, also known as the "judge's ear", is the most auspicious incense burner. It is made of the shape of the official hat worn by ancient officials when they went to the dynasty, so it is also called "official hat ear furnace", which has the auspicious omen of adding officials to the knighthood, which is quite auspicious. Chaoguan ear has always been the classic ear shape of Chinese incense burners, and Chaoguan ear stoves are also quite popular in Taiwan and Southeast Asia, probably because the auspicious meaning is very suitable for local people. Many craftsmen have added copper coins, shou peaches and other ornaments to increase their blessings and longevity next to the wings of the chaotian hat, so they have more meaning of blessing and wishes.
Elephant ears
Elephants have been auspicious beasts since ancient times, with a meek personality, hard work and resentment, and there is a saying that "there is an elephant in peace". After ming xuanzong made it into an elephant ear furnace, he rewarded it to Shangshu and Shilang of the Ministry of Works, encouraging them to be fearless of hard work and carry heavy burdens. Puxian Bodhisattva riding a white elephant and Manjushri Bodhisattva riding a green lion both have the meaning of pudu sentient beings and broad buddhahood. The elephant ear means "the four seas rise to peace, auspicious peace", and it also means "the blessing of life is unparalleled in heaven and earth".
Lion's ear
The Xuande Emperor made a lion's head furnace and gave it to the bingbu Shangshu, the governor of the capital and other high-level military officials. It means "the lion is the king of the hundred beasts", taking its prestige to lead the unification of the six armies. In ancient times, lions were called rui beasts, also known as brave beasts. The drums are vibrating, and they have their own majesty, and in ancient times, many copper stoves used by the military department were placed in modern times for the use of halls and towns.
Dragon ears
The dragon is a sacred beast of Xingyun and Rain, which has been used by the royal family as a symbol of nobility since ancient times, and the Ming and Qing dynasties are the symbols of the monarch, and the dragon ear furnace is mostly used for royal sacrifices. The dragon's ears are placed on both sides of the furnace, looking mighty and domineering.
Dragon ears
Dragon ears, "dragon shape Jane also", dragons have a light and elegant style. According to records, the shape of the furnace is imitated from the Song Dynasty kiln ware, the ear is curved like a worm, and the name is dragon, which means Fushan Shouhai and the source of wealth. The worm ear furnace is the most representative style in the Xuan furnace, its shape is gentle and rounded, and it is not tired of looking at it for a long time, and the meaning is excellent. According to the records, Emperor Mingxuan's love of Mi Du was placed in the study as a companion.
Depending on the type of instrument, the meaning of the furnace ear will also change. Incense lovers must understand the meaning of the incense burner in advance before choosing an incense burner, preferably to meet the needs, and the meaning is particularly important when gifting to others.
(The picture and text originate from the original author of the online copyright)
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