Read on Twitter
CQL + cultural, political, historical references - a thread (part two)
in this part, i'll focus on cultural/artistic references in the drama
link to part one: https://twitter.com/redweizhan/status/1380881877700067329
in this part, i'll focus on cultural/artistic references in the drama
link to part one: https://twitter.com/redweizhan/status/1380881877700067329
disclaimer: you don't have to agree with me, i'm not saying you're ignorant or stating i'm better than you. all these things come *only* from my own studies. i take full responsability. also, take this as nothing too serious. at the end of the day, cql remains fiction
when i studied for my chinese art exam, i fell in love with shanshui (山水, mountain-water) painting. the term 'shanshui' refers to a style that spread especially during song dynasty (960-1279), in particular in the southern song period (1127-1279)
as the name suggests, shanshui painting depicts landscapes with mountains and water, but its focus is on philosophy - taoism and neo-confucianism.
mountain and water represent the perfect balance coming from two opposites (like yin and yang concept)
mountain and water represent the perfect balance coming from two opposites (like yin and yang concept)
mountains represent the alpha of physic world, symbol of firmness, the immobility of qi (life energy) and the mysterious residence of divinities, according to ancient chinese beliefs.
in cql and mdzs, this concept is represented by cloud recesses and lan wangji's personality
in cql and mdzs, this concept is represented by cloud recesses and lan wangji's personality
water represents the omega of the physic world, the fluidity of qi and life. Its presence is even in the clouds on the mountains, as clouds are vapor so considered the “breath of nature.”
this concept is represented by lotus pier and wei wuxian's personality
this concept is represented by lotus pier and wei wuxian's personality
during southern song dynasty, shanshui art was painted on fans too. fans were considered important as they were a great way to mix calligraphy and painting in a tiny space, with very detailed landscapes so the viewer could enjoy the microcosm
not only fans were important pieces of art, but they were a great view on the owner's life: his political beliefs, his cultural and artistic affiliations; they were used to cover the face for “dignity” - for that, they're known as 便面, and were a window on social status too
as i said in the first thread, cql was praised for it use of cultural elements - this is a great example of how it portrayed chinese culture and art history!
