The Symbolic Meanings Of The 12 Symbolic Animals In Chinese Idioms

This dissertation is based on collecting and sorting out the idioms of the 12 symbolic animals among Chinese idioms; analyzing, classifying and synthesizing the meaning of these idioms and the symbolic meaning of the 12 symbolic animals in these idioms; combining the related animals in these idioms and the symbolic meaning of these 12 animals in foreign language and culture for the research of contrast them in order to reveal the symbolic meaning and the cultural connotation of these 12 animals in Chinese culture, which would have the value of reference to the research of Chinese noumenon, Chinese culture, the communication among different cultures and the practice of teaching Chinese as a foreign language.The 12 symbolic animals have their unique meanings and cultural connotations in Chinese language and culture. The introduction of this dissertation gives reason, the goal and significance for writing this thesis. The text of this dissertation, which is under the order of rat, ox, tiger, hare, dragon, snake, horse, sheep, monkey, cock, dog, and hog, analyzes the symbolic meaning of each animal through four different aspects. It includes the meaning of the idioms for each animal; the relationship between these animals and other related animals; the related customs and special phenomena reflected by the idioms; and the contrast of symbolic meaning between Chinese and foreign culture. The concluding remarks give a brief summary and conclusion to the significance of and suggestions for teaching those symbolic meaning and the connotation of the 12 symbolic animals. In all, the dissertation's main purpose is to...