chinese art: a guide to motifs and visual imagery

The symbols and motifs of Chinese art are decoded in this encyclopedic guide to their meanings. "Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery" includes entries for hundreds of images that continuously reappear in the arts of China, including specific plants and animals, religious beings, mortals and inanimate objects. The book thoroughly illuminates the origins, common usages and diverse applications of popular Chinese symbols in a tone that is both engaging and authoritative. "Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery" is an essential reference for collectors, museum-goers, docents, students and anyone else with a serious interest in the culture and history of China. Includes both Chinese and Pinyin text, over 630 illustrations, an extensive index in both Chinese and English, bibliography and more.