中西文化中颜色词的象征意义 [4]
论文作者:佚名论文属性:短文 essay登出时间:2009-04-09编辑:刘宝玲点击率:18159
论文字数:26000论文编号:org200904091657032782语种:中文 Chinese地区:中国价格:免费论文
关键词:颜色词文化差异象征意义对比Color wordscultural differencessymbolic meaningscomparison
ecomes a kind of taboo color in Chinese culture. It is obvious that the symbolic meanings of the color words demonstrate the human psychological characteristics.
II. Different Symbolic Meanings of Color Words in Chinese and English Cultures
Words used to express colors are different in different nations. The differences are not only in the range of chromatograph, but also in extended meaning. According to A Modern Chinese Dictionary and Oxford Advanced Learner’s English Dictionary we can make a comparison.
A. Red
In Chinese culture, the color of red is popular for special events, holidays and ceremonials. In ancient times, when people got married, the bride always dressed in red, and wore “Hongtouga(红头盖)”. The bridegroom always tied a red ribbon and wore a red flower in the front. And almost everything in the wedding had something to do with red color. Neolithic hunter considered red to be the most important color endowed with life—giving powers and placed red ochre into graves of their deceased. Neolithic cave painters ascribed magic power to the red color. It can be stipulated that they painted animals in red ochre or iron oxide to conjure their fertility. It is usually believed in China that red can against evil influence. Almost all languages can find the concept of red, but words used to express this color are different in different cultures. In Chinese culture, red stands for lucky and joyous. In Spring Festival, people printed in red, which is called “red letter day”. Besides, we have a very famous trademark “double red happiness” which is good fortune. Those who facilitate other marriages are named “matchmaker”. Bright red lanterns are usually registered in joyous day; red also symbolizes the revolution and progress, for instance, Communist Party of China’s initial regime is named “red regime”, the initial arms are called “the Red Army”; it symbolizes success, smooth going,such as “becoming much more popular”, “the favorite follower”; Another, to share the profits is called “share out bonus” etc.
Nevertheless, to Westerners, “red” is usually related to danger, war, blood, terror and sensuality. When the traffic lights turn red, it means danger and pause. Red card is widely used to punish players who act badly in sports and games. Scarlet is the color of bright red, yet its connotation meaning is libidinous or flagrant. Up to now, “red light district” in a few Western nations still implies whorehouse. If we translate (Hong Deng Ji) into “Story of A Red Lantern”, it makes misunderstanding in cross-cultural communication. The symbolic meaning of red color is cruel ferocious and bleeding for example, it massacres with violence, and it claims for the red rules of tooth and claw, red revenge, a red battle; it symbolizes the radical violent revolution, such as red hot political campaign, a red revolution, red activities etc; it also symbolizes danger, nervousness, for example, red alert, a red adventure story, and a red flag.
B. White
White and red are opposite in Chinese culture. White is a basic taboo word that reflects Chinese people abandon and disgust in both material and spiritual aspects. White symbolizes the death and ill omen in Chinese culture. The relative must wear mourning for the death of parents and relatives since ancient times. They worn the white mourning dress, and it is called the funeral. The relatives set up the white mourning hall. And they should hit the white long narrow flag while carrying a cof
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