Evolution and Inheritance of Animal Head Applique on Shanxi Houses

Abstract

Animal head applique is an important part of Chinese traditional door leaf. Started with the origin and evolution of animal head applique, this paper is to study its original practical functions in Shanxi. I propose some ideas to improve the traditional animal head applique and apply it on the modern doors, so that people can accept and understand this long-standing decoration method and it can be preserved as the cultural heritage. Thus, the significance of the traditional components is illustrated and further the irreplaceability of the animal head appliques is demonstrated. KEYWORD: animal head applique; architectural door decoration; decoration; inheritance International Conference on Social Science, Education Management and Sports Education (SSEMSE 2015) © 2015. The authors Published by Atlantis Press 129 margarya for the door. The knockers were used for closure, protection, decoration and exorcism.1 Figure 2. Relationship between Beast-face Vein and Animal Head Applique Formation Anyway, that is just a legend. According to researches by the scholars, the origin of the animalfaced ornament generally focuses on three points:  the animal-faced ornament is related to and inherits the beast-face veins on the bronze ware manufactured in the Shang Dynasty (1555 BC1059 BC) and the Zhou Dynasty (1059 BC-255 BC).  the animal-faced ornament is related to and inherits the beast-face veins on the jade articles manufactured in the Liangzhu Period (about 3300 BC-2250 BC).  the animal-faced ornament is related to the prehistoric statuary art. 2 EVOLUTION OF ANIMAL-FACED ORNAMENT After evolution of more than two thousand years, the early form of the animal-faced ornament took shape firstly in the Shang Dynasty in China, and appeared on the bronze ware at that time in the form of beast faces without knockers. However, there is no door decoration discovered. The animal-faced ornament was matured and developed in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring State Period, people no longer worshiped the totem of the animal-faced ornament, and the beast-face vein occurred and developed. Through evolution of the animal-faced ornament during the Qin Dynasty (221 BC-207 BC) and the Han Dynasty (202BC-220AD), the decoration of the door developed to be perfect, and the basic shape and structure of the decoration of the door were formed. Moreover, the animal-faced ornament began to appear on the stone portrait. Due to multi-element fusion of the animal-faced ornament during the Wei, Jin, Northern and Southern Dynasties as well as influences of cultures of other nationalities such as the western region culture and the Buddhism culture, various forms of animal-faced ornaments were formed. The development of the animal-faced ornament achieved the highest point during the Song, Yuan, Ming and Qing Dynasties. Especially in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, the animal-faced ornament was gradually divorced from the meanings of original totem worship and feudal privilege symbol, and no longer was the privilege of the governor. It began popular in the vernacular dwellings and spread widely. 3 ANIMAL-FACED ORNAMENT FOR VERNACULAR DWELLINGS IN CENTRAL AND SOUTH REGIONS OF ANCIENT SHANXI PROVINCE Shanxi Province plays a special role in the civilization history of the Chinese nation, and is honored as “the treasury of the ancient Chinese architecture” as the ancient architectures exist all over the province with abundant aboveground and underground cultural relics. The vernacular dwellings in Shanxi Province have unique features, and even there is a saying that Shanxi Province in the north is as famous as south Anhui Province in the south. The vernacular dwellings in Shanxi Province are featured with courtyards and cave dwellings. Particularly, the courtyard culture formed in the end of the Ming Dynasty is particular about the decoration, and therefore, a unique culture of door decoration is also formed. Figure 3. Bat-like Ornament on Doors in Ding Village We drew a conclusion from investigation on part of the vernacular dwellings in the central and south regions of ancient Shanxi Province, and classified the animal-faced ornaments into the following categories in aspects of decorative patterns: 3.1 Bat-like knocker The bat-like knocker was widely used in Ding Village in Xiangfen County of Linfen City of Shanxi Province (Fig.3). The architectural complexes built in the Ming and Qing Dynasties are preserved well in Ding Village. There are plenty of animal-faced