Research Of Art Symbol XuanWu

Xuanwu Totem is one of traditional art symbols peculiar to China. Inthe course from its origin, change to great prosperity, Xuanwu totemconstantly emits its peculiar fascination of art culture and flavor ofhumanity history. A comparative analysis is made on its traceability toprobe into cultural connotation and social concept concealed in its artsymbol as well as peculiar cosmology, view of life, functional view,aesthetic standards and cultural perspective of people in different historicalperiods.Based on the arrangement of literal data and image materials, thispaper traces into both origin and development of Xuanwu’s art symbol,analyzes its evolution process of its early image, the image of turtle&snake, and the image of Xuanwu Emperor in its changing process, andsummarizes three evolution characteristics of these images: imaginary andmaterialized primitive worship, function humanized nature worship, andspirit deific soul worship. Based on the analysis on its major carrier forms（i.e. stone relief, eaves tile, bronze ware, and wallpainting）, an analysisis made from the perspective of symbolic formal expression on thecommensalism form of turtle and snake looking at each other, the yin andyang form of turtle and snake connecting to each other, and the harmoniousform of turtle and snake winding together in its styling features. Besides,this paper also analyzes relevant contents implied in its symbol, revealingcultural connotation reflected by the art symbol of Xuanwu, namely theview of life of yin and yang integration and the harmony view ofsyncretism between heaven and man. Three aesthetic significances of theXuanwu art symbol are summarized: beauty of contrast, beauty ofsymmetry and dynamic beauty. The essence of Xuanwu art symbol passed on from generation to generation lies in not only its form representation,but also the integration of human ideology, worship, belief and aestheticexperience into this symbol. The perfect integration of form and functionof harmonious yin&yang, commensalism and syncretism in the Xuanwuart symbol offers great reference and inspiration to both thought andorientation of contemporary visual communication design.