Several years ago, I had an opportunity to observe one particularly fine fire flame vessel in Tokamachi . I was impressed by the abstract expression of the fire flames figures.
Nobody is sure that these patterns actually represent fire flames, given that there were no letters to record and convey the significance in those period. Yet, as one admires the ornamentation, one is brought into the strange realm of symbolization of the dancing flames, now twisted and now straight, ever changing, but remaining eternal in essence.
I can almost imagine myself watching the fire flames at night in those ancient times. Surrounded by the menacing darkness, the fire flames must have appeared to be the symbol of our earthly existence itself.
A fire flame earthenware.
3 comments:
" I can almost imagine myself watching the fire flames at night in those ancient times. Sorrounded by the menacing darkness, the fire flames must have appeared to the symbol of our earthly existence itself."
Great !
The fire flames of this vessel surely seem to be our inward embodiment. The peaceful order in the bottom gradually swells, swirls, and burst from the brim.
Through this picture and the remark, I can also ignite myself and dance to the primitive flames hand in hand with the ancestry in the darkness.
Amazing! 4000 to 5000 years ago there was already people with the skills to make beautiful and intricate earthenware like that. To make something, that long ago, that still fill people with wonder and admiration today - that is indeed something to be proud of.
The Fuwa (福娃;literally "good-luck dolls" in Chinese) were the mascots of the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing.
When I saw the photo of Fire flame earthenwares you posted, the Fuwa, especially a red doll, emerged in me.
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