中国古代“十二文章”审美文化研究

The Aesthetic Culture of "Twelve Imperial Symbols" in Ancient China

Abstract

In ancient times, the term “wenzhang” literally means “articles”, could be applied to refer to patterns used to decorate the surface of objects. The "Twelve Articles" in this article refer to the twelve decorative patterns on the crown and imperial robes. As the most important component of the crown and robes, the twelve articles vividly express the different connotations of Chinese aesthetic culture, especially imperial culture in different periods in a symbolic way, which is mainly divided into the "Totem Period" and the "Bi De" Period. In different periods, the use of the twelve articles has also changed, from a symbol of supernatural power closely related to religious concepts to a symbol that highlights their identity and rights and distinguishes between the upper and lower classes. This article explores the aesthetic culture of the twelve articles, traces back to the origin of the twelve articles, examines the evolution path of their use and connotation, and helps us to deeply understand the aesthetic implications and cultural connotations of the twelve articles.