中国画中的“四君子”及其文化内涵

Plum, Orchid, Bamboo and Chrysanthemum, the "Four Gentlemen" in Chinese Painting and their Cultural Connotation

梅、兰、竹、菊在中国画中被人们称为“四君子”。经过历代中国知识分子的描述与赞美 ,成为中国最具平民化又最具崇高化的物质与精神载体。在相当多的优秀人物身上 ,隐现着“四君子”的精神特质 ,并影响其价值取向及生存方式。把某种植物上升到人格化的程度 ,并将其作为模仿的对象 ,这是中国文化中极为独特的现象。

Plum, orchid, bamboo and chrysanthemum are called 'Four Gentlemen' in traditional Chinese painting. Owing to the descriptions and admiration by the Chinese literary intelligentsia in the past dynasties, the Four became a certain materiel and spiritual carrier of the Chinese people, which are full of popularity and nobility. In many outstanding people we can see the special characteristics of the 'Four Gentlemen'. They influence the evaluation and the way of survivorship. That people have certain plants personalized and considered as models is a very special phenomenon in Chinese culture.