Melancholic and monastic: moss as a symbol in Chinese literature

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Abstract Moss, though seemingly insignificant in nature, holds great significance in Chinese literature. Unlike the precise scientific definition and taxonomy of the English term, the Chinese term “taixian” (苔藓 ‘mosses’) more loosely indicates any small, flowerless, leaf-stemmed plant, including moss, algae, and liverwort. In Chinese culture, moss is associated with “Yin” (阴), one of the two basic constitutive elements in the universe. Chinese folk culture and medicine classifies objects in the world into five natures, and within this scheme, moss is assigned a “cool” nature due to its preference for moist environments. According to the doctrines of Taoism and Chinese folk philosophy, the nature of things is always changing and can be converted into something different or opposite. Thus, moss in ancient Chinese literature initially conveyed negative emotions, such as women’s loneliness and complaint, while later becoming a more positive symbol of retreat from worldly concerns and delight in solitude. This duality established moss as a subject of aesthetic appreciation in Chinese literature and art. Often juxtaposed with bamboo, moss came to represent the spirit of a true gentleman. This tradition has deeply influenced Chinese cultural expressions and continues to shape artistic and environmental sensibilities today.