Chiwen: Difference between revisions
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[[Image:KongmiaochishouTainanTaiwan.jpg|thumb|''chishou'' at [[Taiwan Confucian Temple]].]] |
[[Image:KongmiaochishouTainanTaiwan.jpg|thumb|''chishou'' at [[Taiwan Confucian Temple]].]] |
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[[Image:Nagoya Castle Golden Shachi-Hoko Statue01.jpg|thumb|A golden [[shachihoko]] on the roof of [[Nagoya Castle]]]] |
[[Image:Nagoya Castle Golden Shachi-Hoko Statue01.jpg|thumb|A golden [[shachihoko]] on the roof of [[Nagoya Castle]]]] |
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'''''Chiwen''''' ({{zh|c= |
'''''Chiwen''''' ({{zh|c=蚩吻|p=''chīwěn''|w=''ch'ih-wen''|l=hornless-dragon mouth}}) is a [[Chinese dragon]], and in [[Chinese mythology]] is one of the [[9 sons of the dragon]]. He is depicted in [[imperial roof decoration]]s and other ornamental motifs in traditional [[Chinese architecture]] and [[Chinese art|art]]. |
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The name for this dragon is {{zh|labels=no|p=chīwěn}} ({{zh|labels=no|t= |
The name for this dragon is {{zh|labels=no|p=chīwěn}} ({{zh|labels=no|t=蚩吻|first=p}}), which [[compound (linguistics)|compounds]] {{zh|labels=no|p=chī}} ({{zh|labels=no||t={{linktext|蚩}} |l=[[Chi (mythology)|hornless dragon]]; young dragon|first=p}}) and {{zh|p=wěn|labels=no}} ({{zh|labels=no|t={{linktext|吻}}|l=[animal's] mouth|first=p}}). {{zh|labels=no|p=Chīshǒu}} ({{zh|labels=no|t=螭首|first=p}}) and {{zh|labels=no|p=Chītóu}} ({{zh|labels=no|t=螭頭|first=p}}), both literally meaning "hornless-dragon head", are similar architectural ornaments or waterspouts, comparable with Western [[gargoyle]]s, but are not related to the mythological character. |
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''Chiwen'' is alternatively written {{zh|labels=no|t=鴟吻|l=owl mouth}}, using the homophonous [[Chinese character|character]] {{zh|labels=no|p=chī}} ({{zh|labels=no|t={{linktext|鴟}}|l=owl/bird of prey|first=p}}). The {{zh|labels=no|p=chīwěi}} ({{zh|labels=no|t={{linktext|鴟尾}}|l=owl tail|first=p}}) and {{zh|labels=no|p=chīméng}} ({{zh|labels=no|t={{linktext|鴟甍}}|l=owl roof-ridge|first=p}}) are additional birdlike roof decorations. |
''Chiwen'' is alternatively written {{zh|labels=no|t=鴟吻|l=owl mouth}}, using the homophonous [[Chinese character|character]] {{zh|labels=no|p=chī}} ({{zh|labels=no|t={{linktext|鴟}}|l=owl/bird of prey|first=p}}). The {{zh|labels=no|p=chīwěi}} ({{zh|labels=no|t={{linktext|鴟尾}}|l=owl tail|first=p}}) and {{zh|labels=no|p=chīméng}} ({{zh|labels=no|t={{linktext|鴟甍}}|l=owl roof-ridge|first=p}}) are additional birdlike roof decorations. |
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In [[Fengshui]] theory, a ''chiwen'' or ''chiwei'' supposedly protects against not only fires, but also floods and typhoons. |
In [[Fengshui]] theory, a ''chiwen'' or ''chiwei'' supposedly protects against not only fires, but also floods and typhoons. |
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The [[Japanese language]] borrowed these names for architectural roof decorations as [[Sino-Japanese vocabulary]]. ''[[Shibi (roof tile)|Shibi]]'' {{lang|ja|鴟尾}} "ornamental roof-ridge tile" is more commonly used than ''chifun'' {{lang|ja| |
The [[Japanese language]] borrowed these names for architectural roof decorations as [[Sino-Japanese vocabulary]]. ''[[Shibi (roof tile)|Shibi]]'' {{lang|ja|鴟尾}} "ornamental roof-ridge tile" is more commonly used than ''chifun'' {{lang|ja|蚩吻}} or ''shifun'' {{lang|ja|鴟吻}}. In [[Japanese mythology]], the ''[[Shachihoko]]'' {{lang|ja|鯱}} (a mythical fish with a carp's arched tail, tiger's head, and dragon's scales) roof decoration is believed to cause rain and protect against fire. This {{lang|ja|[[Wikt: 鯱|鯱]]}} is a [[kokuji]] "Chinese character invented in Japan" that can also be read ''shachi'' for "[[orca]]". |
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==References== |
==References== |
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*''[[Onigawara]]'' |
*''[[Onigawara]]'' |
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*''[[Shachihoko]]'' |
*''[[Shachihoko]]'' |
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{{commons category|Chiwen}} |
{{commons category|Chiwen}} |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.blackdrago.com/ninedragonscroll.htm The Nine Dragon Scroll], The Circle of the Dragon |
*[http://www.blackdrago.com/ninedragonscroll.htm The Nine Dragon Scroll], The Circle of the Dragon |
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[[Category:Architecture of China]] |
[[Category:Architecture of China]] |
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[[Category:Chinese architectural history]] |
[[Category:Chinese architectural history]] |
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Revision as of 05:42, 2 November 2022
Chiwen (Chinese: 蚩吻; pinyin: chīwěn; Wade–Giles: ch'ih-wen; lit. 'hornless-dragon mouth') is a Chinese dragon, and in Chinese mythology is one of the 9 sons of the dragon. He is depicted in imperial roof decorations and other ornamental motifs in traditional Chinese architecture and art.
The name for this dragon is chīwěn (蚩吻), which compounds chī (蚩; 'hornless dragon', 'young dragon') and wěn (吻; '[', 'animal's]', 'mouth'). Chīshǒu (螭首) and Chītóu (螭頭), both literally meaning "hornless-dragon head", are similar architectural ornaments or waterspouts, comparable with Western gargoyles, but are not related to the mythological character.
Chiwen is alternatively written 鴟吻; 'owl mouth', using the homophonous character chī (鴟; 'owl/bird of prey'). The chīwěi (鴟尾; 'owl tail') and chīméng (鴟甍; 'owl roof-ridge') are additional birdlike roof decorations.
The chiwen is listed second or third among the Lóng shēng jiǔzǐ (龍生九子; 'dragon gives birth to nine young'), Nine Dragons (九龍; jiǔlóng), which are traditional mythological creatures that have become traditional Chinese feng shui architectural decorations. Each one of the nine dragons has a protective function. The Nine dragons are also used in many place names in Hong Kong, such as Kowloon, literally meaning "nine dragons" in Cantonese (Chinese: 九龍; Jyutping: gau2 lung4; Cantonese Yale: Gáulùhng), as well as numerous lakes, rivers and hamlets in mainland China.
According to the Ming Dynasty Wuzazu (五雜俎) "The ch'i-wen, which like swallowing, are placed on both ends of the ridgepoles of roofs (to swallow all evil influences)."[1]
Welch describes chiwen as "the dragon who likes 'to swallow things'".[2]
This is the fish-like, hornless dragon with a very truncated body and large, wide mouth usually found along roof ridges (as if swallowing the roof beams). His presence on roofs is also said to guard against fires. A paragraph in the Tang dynasty book Su Shi Yan Yi (蘇氏演義) by Su E (蘇鶚) says that a mythical sea creature called the chi wen [sic] was put on the roofs of buildings during the Han dynasty to protect the structures from fire hazards. This dragon is still found on the roofs of traditional Chinese homes today, protecting the inhabitants from fires.
In Fengshui theory, a chiwen or chiwei supposedly protects against not only fires, but also floods and typhoons.
The Japanese language borrowed these names for architectural roof decorations as Sino-Japanese vocabulary. Shibi 鴟尾 "ornamental roof-ridge tile" is more commonly used than chifun 蚩吻 or shifun 鴟吻. In Japanese mythology, the Shachihoko 鯱 (a mythical fish with a carp's arched tail, tiger's head, and dragon's scales) roof decoration is believed to cause rain and protect against fire. This 鯱 is a kokuji "Chinese character invented in Japan" that can also be read shachi for "orca".
References
- ^ Wuzazu 五雜俎., cited in de Visser, Marinus Willem (1913). Dragon in China and Japan. J. Müller. p. 101.
- ^ Welch, Patricia Bjaaland (2008). Chinese Art. Tuttle. pp. 122–3. ISBN 9780804838641.
See also
External links
- The Nine Dragon Scroll, The Circle of the Dragon