The meaning of the combination of lotus and fish in Zhongyang Luliang folk paper-cutting
In addition to the above two main types of patterns in Zhongyang folk paper-cutting, there is another type of paper-cutting pattern that also occupies a larger number. This is the paper-cutting of fish and lotus images and their combinations. Research on this type of paper-cutting pattern It will also help us further understand the cultural connotation of "Happy Flower-grabbing Bun Doll". In the "Happy Flower" paper-cutting, the combination of fish, lotus and people is often classified as an "auspicious pattern" by some people, and is given names such as "continuous years of surplus", "continuous birth of noble children", etc. This is taken from the lotus (continuous) ) is derived from the homophony of fish (yu), but looking back on its history, homophonic word games only began to use homophonic words to structure the cultural connotation of schemas after the Song Dynasty, especially after the development of popular culture in the Ming and Qing Dynasties.
However, compared with the stability of folk paper-cutting in inheritance, the combination of these patterns must have been much earlier. In other words, the combination of fish, lotus and sub-patterns is definitely not due to homophony. , their combination should have a deeper connotation. Lotus is often described as yin or female in ancient Chinese culture. As Mr. Wen Yiduo said in the article "Shuo Yu·Er·Yu", "The word 'lian' in Yuefu ("Jiangnan Can Pick Lotus") means 'pity', This is also a kind of metaphor. This is a fish that represents a man and a lotus that represents a woman. It is said that fish and lotus play, but actually it means that man and woman play...".
In addition, "Buddhists put river lanterns on the Ghost Festival, which is called super life, and uses lotus as the symbol of earthly Yin." Lotus is a pattern that has been widely spread among Chinese people with the introduction of Buddhism in the Han Dynasty. Red lotus Representing women in Buddhism, the six-character Buddhist motto is translated as 'Holy Red Lotus', which means the life of women.The reproductive organ, which entered Buddhist culture after the sacred red lotus flower symbolizing female connotation in ancient Egypt was introduced to India."
From this point of view, Chinese and foreign cultures influence or communicate with each other regarding the metaphor of the lotus. It is not uncommon for fish to refer to men in traditional Chinese culture. For example, Mr. Wen Yiduo cited 52 examples of poetry in "Shuo Yu·Two·Yu", among which it can be said that the majority of people use fish to refer to men. , In addition, there are local folk songs that use fish as a metaphor for men: In the first month of the year, the freezing ice disappears at the beginning of spring, and in February, fish float on the water; floating on the water reminds me of my brother, and I think of Brother Langzi, wait for me. In addition to the above-mentioned examples of using fish to represent men, there are also hidden meanings of using fish to represent women. Among the 52 folk songs cited by Mr. Wen Yiduo in "Shuo Yu·Two·Fish", 9 use fish to represent women. For example, there are also examples in Zhongyang folk proverbs where fish are used as metaphors for women, such as "The cool breeze is blowing and the sky is sunny, the thrush is flying out of the forest, the carps are circling around and want to be married, and the beautiful girl is circling around to get married."
From the above list, we can be sure that both lotus and fish are metaphors for men and women, and what they embody and reveal are the physiological functions of men and women, that is, the metaphorical meanings of sex and life. Coupled with the practical application of this type of paper-cutting pattern in the local folk customs of Zhongyang, we have reason to say that the "happy flower" formed by the combination of bun dolls, lotus, fish, etc. in Zhongyang folk paper-cutting is not an absolute schema. Union is a remnant of ancient fertility worship and the recognition of human group consciousness for the reproduction of life.
