«DRAGON, LOTUS, PHOENIX» AS SPECIAL SYMBOLS OF CHINA CULTURE

Abstract

At present, the urgent task is to preserve and broadcast the cultural values of different peoples. From this point of view, symbols of Chinese benevolent culture can be seen as an important form of cultural communication. Three symbols of good wishes were chosen as the objects of the study: dragon, lotus and phoenix. Despite the prevalence of these images, there are practically no works in the literature that comprehensively, from different points of view, would describe the semantics of each of them. Thus, the goal is to reveal the history of these symbols, their meaning and traditions of use in a benevolent culture. The author identified and systematized the main images and meanings of the three symbols of Chinese culture. Based on the results of the work, the author came to the conclusion that all three symbols have a number of hidden images and meanings that can vary depending on the way they are depicted, and also have opposite meanings when combined with other symbols (for example, a dragon combined with a phoenix).
 Purpose. The article considers the symbolism of the benevolent culture of the PRC, as one of the connecting threads in the development of Chinese identity. The symbolism is illustrated by examples of some of the most common images used in jade art – the dragon, lotus and phoenix. The author aims to reveal the history of the use of these images, their symbolism and traditions of use in a benevolent culture.
 Methodology. The research is based on hermeneutic, comparative and axiological methods.
 Results. The results of the work are that the author identified and systematized the main images and meanings of the three symbols of Chinese culture: the dragon, the phoenix and the lotus.
 Practical implications. The results of the study can be used in the educational process when teaching courses on the history and culture of China, including history, art history, oriental culture, sinology, etc. The study of the cultural values of China, in particular, the symbolism of auspicious ornaments, allows you to broadcast, preserve and transmit the history and traditions of the art of the Middle Kingdom.