Gourds And Wealth In Floris Franceso's Fall
In the ancient times of China, most people employ the symbolic meanings of good fortune to demonstrate their statuses and wealth. They not only utilised them in daily lives, but also integrate them into their cultures and arts. This trend was especially common in people who held tremendous amount of wealth and influence. Gourds and peonies in particular, represent auspiciousness and wealth in Chinese cultures. Numerous artists and artisans apply them into their paintings, potteries, and crafts so they can attract more attention from the rich and earn more money. Because of their propitious significances, there were also widely use by the royals. While gourds and peonies are associated with auspiciousness and wealth, their appeal crosses ages and cultures as they use the abstract elements of symbolisms to provoke popular demands.
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Although gourds are interpreted differently in Western cultures, the Chinese generally believe that they represent longevity and wellness.
In Floris Franceso’s painting “The Fall”, he illustrates the gourd as the antidote for the apple (Wilson, 162). In biblical references, gourd was considered as the beginning or the symbol of Resurrection. It not only has had various symbolic meanings in American culture but also, “among the Aztecs, Mayans, and ancient Peruvians, it was considered the strongest symbol of water, the source and preserver of life” (Wilson, 163). It was commonly used by native Americans, Africans, or Spaniards. Typically, they would slice the gourds open, take out the inner flesh and seeds, then use them as vessels after they are dried. In Chinese and Japanese cultures, gourds have the mysterious power to heal the weak and expand life times. They may also appear on advertisements or signboards of pharmacists to emphasize the magic
medicine.
The features of a gourd also make it unique from other fruits. Because of its durable skin as a dried fruit, it represents the vigour of mankind and the longevity that life brings to us. Gourd is also a significant symbol of auspiciousness in Chines cultures and folklores. In ancient times, people believed gourds had magic power to heal the wounds and purge the evil spirits. It was regarded as “a charm to dissipate or ward off pernicious influences.” (Wilson, 162) When one slices the bottle-gourd into half to open, the cloud that emerges from within is believed to have the power to “trap demons.” Believing that the gourds could protect them from danger, the children were told to wear the gourds around their necks. The gourd was viewed as an amulet and this “custom is explained by the Chinese by saying that a certain god of the small-pox and measles will ‘empty’ the small-pox into the gourd-shell, and not into these children, if he should observe one ready” (Hildburgh, 27).
One example is Li T’ieh Kuai, one of the Eight Immortals, “who holds [the gourd] in his hand while spirals of smoke ascend from it, denoting his power of setting his spirit free from his body” (Wilson).
Although gourds are interpreted differently in Western cultures, the Chinese generally believe that they represent longevity and wellness.
In Floris Franceso’s painting “The Fall”, he illustrates the gourd as the antidote for the apple (Wilson, 162). In biblical references, gourd was considered as the beginning or the symbol of Resurrection. It not only has had various symbolic meanings in American culture but also, “among the Aztecs, Mayans, and ancient Peruvians, it was considered the strongest symbol of water, the source and preserver of life” (Wilson, 163). It was commonly used by native Americans, Africans, or Spaniards. Typically, they would slice the gourds open, take out the inner flesh and seeds, then use them as vessels after they are dried. In Chinese and Japanese cultures, gourds have the mysterious power to heal the weak and expand life times. They may also appear on advertisements or signboards of pharmacists to emphasize the magic
medicine.
The features of a gourd also make it unique from other fruits. Because of its durable skin as a dried fruit, it represents the vigour of mankind and the longevity that life brings to us. Gourd is also a significant symbol of auspiciousness in Chines cultures and folklores. In ancient times, people believed gourds had magic power to heal the wounds and purge the evil spirits. It was regarded as “a charm to dissipate or ward off pernicious influences.” (Wilson, 162) When one slices the bottle-gourd into half to open, the cloud that emerges from within is believed to have the power to “trap demons.” Believing that the gourds could protect them from danger, the children were told to wear the gourds around their necks. The gourd was viewed as an amulet and this “custom is explained by the Chinese by saying that a certain god of the small-pox and measles will ‘empty’ the small-pox into the gourd-shell, and not into these children, if he should observe one ready” (Hildburgh, 27).
One example is Li T’ieh Kuai, one of the Eight Immortals, “who holds [the gourd] in his hand while spirals of smoke ascend from it, denoting his power of setting his spirit free from his body” (Wilson).