This is the first paperbound edition of a standard reference volume long familiar to students of China and Chinese culture. The work of a scholarly English resident of China, it is an illustrated encyclopedia with hundreds of concise, clear, and authoritative articles outlining the meaning of Chinese symbols and art motives, arranged alphabetically by concept.
Special emphasis is placed on those historical, legendary, or supernatural persons, animals, and objects that recur frequently as symbols or emblems in the art and literature (of Japan and Korea, as well as of China): Lao Tzu, the phoenix, the Eight Immortals, the Twelve Ornaments, and so on. Chinese customs and observances are recorded, and there are numerous articles on general topics (agriculture, medicine, astrology, costume, drama); arts and crafts (carpets, lacquer, shop signs, calligraphy); religion and folk beliefs; natural history; music; and many other subjects. Includes 402 illustrations.