Study On The Artistic Symbols Of Kui Grain In Zhou Dynasty Bronzes

Kui Grain(A kind of Dragon Grains) was one of the main decorativegrains on Bronzes of Shang and Zhou Dynasties. Its status was next tobeast mask grain. After its appearance on the bronzes of Shang and Zhoudynasties, as a traditional lucky symbol, it presented on wares of differentperiods and have typical style of East Asia.The artistic symbols and accomplishment of Kui Grain on bronzes ofShang and Zhou dynasties were studied in this thesis. Based on formerstudies of scholars, Cultural Anthropology was used to expound DragonGrain, Kui Grain and Kui Dragon Grain. The differences and connectionof the three grains were discussed. The viewpoint that Kui Grain is theearly form of Dragon Grain, Kui dragon is not only the side figure ofanimals with two legs, but also a kind of dragon were brought forward.Based on Semeiology and Iconology, the typical bronzes of Shang andZhou dynasties were listed detailedly and the Kui Dragon Grains on themwere analyzed particularly. The reasons that Kui Dragon Grains on thebronzes of Shang and Zhou dynasties evolved were discussed. Groundedon theses, Symbol analysis was applied to the grains and the meaning ofthem was dug out. The grains show their beauty and the monarchs'powerwhich existed connectedly in them. Founded on this, the connection relationships between Kui Grain and Taotie Grain( a kind of animalgrains), Kui Gragon Grain and Fire Grains were analyzed. Based on this,the relationships between the Kui Dragon Grain and the royal, the TaotieGrain and the roral were reasoned. The foundation to further research themeaning of the Kui Grain was established.In the last part of this thesis, the formation of the Kui Grain on bronzeswas summarized by analyzing the graphic decorative language of the KuiGrain, and the use of the Kui Grain in modern design was illustrated, andthe use of traditional elements in modern design was further forecasted.