Sometimes the
_Kylin_, a sort of stag with a dragon's head, and a symbol of
good-fortune, was used. There were many other of these symbolic
designs employed to enhance the beauty of Chinese porcelains, and of
course to the Chinese each one had its meaning."
"It is an interesting idea, isn't it?" Theo said slowly.
"Very; and makes much of our own art seem pitifully thin. And when you
consider that the colors the Chinese used also had their meaning, as
did various geometric forms introduced, you can readily see how much
one must study to understand Chinese--and for that matter, Japanese
art; for the Japanese used much the same methods in decorating their
potteries and porcelains, although of course their symbolism
varied. With the Chinese green and vermilion were colors sacred to the
wall decorations of Emperors' houses; red typified fire; black, water;
green, wood; white, metal. Fire was also sometimes represented by a
circle, and the earth by a square. All this I tell you that you may
see how much thought went into everything they did. In addition
certain objects were made for especial purposes, and decorated in
accordance with their use. There were drinking cups for poets,
authors, and government officials, each cup having an appropriate
picture in the bottom.
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