The Beauty of Harmony: The Way of Harmony in Traditional Culture
"Harmony" Chinese juniper, height 110cm, collection of Yang Guisheng
The Beauty of "Harmony"
Production | Fan Shunli
Text | Li Guobin, CP
This article was first published in "CPAA Chinese Penjing and Viewing Stones", and China Penjing is authorized to republish it
Through its long history of development, the Chinese nation has accumulated and formed its own unique and great national character and national spirit. The fundamental spirit of Chinese culture is expressed in such traits as constant self-improvement, great virtue carrying all things, vigilance in times of peace, contentment with one's lot, and reverence for etiquette. The core and essence of Chinese culture lies in the two characters "he" and "he" (harmony and convergence). Harmony in diversity, treating one another as equals, and win-win cooperation are values that come down in the same lineage as Confucian culture. "Harmony and convergence" is also a cultural gene, a wisdom nurtured by the sages of the Chinese nation through practice.
This concept runs through Chinese history and still plays an important role in modern national development and international cooperation. The recently concluded Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit took "harmony and convergence" as its theme, honoring the SCO with the host's traditional wisdom, and through the mutual integration and co-generation of the "Shanghai Spirit" and Confucian culture, it cultivated and inspired people, stirring up the "beauty of harmony and convergence" of the "Shanghai Spirit". The leaders of member states, observer states, and dialogue partner states gathered in Qingdao to plan a new chapter together, radiating the brilliance of "harmony and convergence" thought.?
Opening ceremony and promotional video of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization Qingdao Summit
The sea admits a hundred rivers; tolerance makes one great. All things in the world must have differences and similarities. Seeking common ground while reserving differences, working together with one heart, and coexisting in harmony are the attitude and ideal we pursue in handling affairs. Confucianism values "harmony" and esteems "the middle way". In the Confucian concept of "harmony and convergence", "he" (harmony) means harmony, peace, and tranquility; "he" (convergence) means gathering, cooperation, and integration. The thinking of extending from oneself to others and from the near to the far clearly illuminates the way of "harmony generates all things" through win-win coexistence. This wisdom is also fully embodied in the art and culture of penjing. The penjing work below uses "Harmony" as its title to expound the principles of conduct and the philosophy of interaction deeply ingrained in the Chinese nation.
The material for this double-trunk Chinese juniper penjing is extremely rare. Judging from the annual ring patterns visible on the cross-section of the main trunk, the tree is over 150 years old. It has also been grown in a pot for nearly 20 years since being collected from the mountain, and it is growing well, with an upright and centered trunk, a spreading root base, a short and sturdy thick form, and a solid foundation. The thickness ratio of the main and companion branches and the natural transition branches have basically been maintained in place, making it a standard Lingnan large tree style. The flat broken end on the right side of the main trunk and the dead surface on the left trunk are the key points for thinking through the arrangement of the shari and live veins. Creative approach: based on the principle of seeking simplicity within complexity and achieving more with less, the following points were followed.
1. Tree form.Make the single tree with two trunks clearly distinguished as primary and secondary, echoing each other from afar, combining concealment and exposure, and with tension and relaxation in proper measure;
2. Shari (deadwood).The carving of the shari pursues naturally varied textures, smooth strokes, and continuous spirit and rhythm;
3. Live veins.The design of the live veins does not pursue a fixed format, but rather learns from nature and is not bound by convention;
4. Techniques, branch and foliage pad layout.In the branch technique and layout, achieve variation and unity, reflecting the relationships of empty and solid, gathering and scattering, and sparse and dense.
Front of the original stump material
Back of the original stump material
Only by taking several broken ends and dead surfaces as the starting point and carefully carving them while preserving their natural textures can the image of an old juniper be presented - ancient and vigorous, combining hardness and softness, with a layout of rise and fall, cadence and rhythm. The shari and live veins of the main trunk are fully revealed, and the scattered branches form a semicircular crown. This not only shows the majestic and substantial tree crown, but also highlights the aged charm of a wild ancient juniper.
The author chose these two broken ends on the back as the entry point, creating the shari concept around the changes in the main trunk's live veins
"Harmony" literally means matching, harmony, and concord. The thought of "harmony and convergence" is the cultural core and factor with the greatest vitality in traditional Chinese thought and culture, and is the essence of the Chinese nation's traditional culture. It settles into the Chinese character jointly forged by the traditional Confucian scholar's ideal and the Daoist ideal of withdrawal from the world, and is embodied in the philosophical spirit of "the unity of heaven and humanity". "The unity of heaven and humanity" is also the ultimate goal pursued by penjing art, which is to organically combine natural beauty, formative beauty, and rhythmic beauty, fusing them into one, and achieving the highest realm of the intermingling of object and scene.
The flat broken end on the right side of the main trunk and the dead surface on the left trunk are the key parts for thinking through the arrangement of the main trunk's shari lines
This juniper, "same tree, same species, growing from the same root", has a traditional double-trunk form: one high and one low, one hard and one soft, one straight and one slanting, looking back with affection, accommodating each other, and coordinating with each other. The mountain breeze blows gently, and the ancient juniper sways. It is free and unrestrained, with an ancient and simple trunk, a steady foundation, and a solid and substantial presence. The main vein's sinews rotate and change, with yin and yang alternating. Live veins and shari interweave, appearing and disappearing within it, while the tree crown is green as clouds, solemn and majestic. The richly verdant foliage pads give people a natural wild charm and full vitality. The foliage pads, arranged in orderly yet richly varied heights, display both a rugged grandeur and a light, delicate, moist beauty. The entire work is upright and robust without losing elegance, and its production techniques and expressive methods are breathtaking. Its tree form has a main trunk standing firm and immovable, stable as a rock, weathered by wind and frost, like a pillar in midstream, indestructible, while the secondary trunk raises its head and gazes, looking back in wait. The composition of this tree has primary and secondary elements, momentum, density, contrast, and echo... achieving an artistic realm that condenses natural landscape.
After the branches were wired and arranged, the tree's momentum on the back is natural, substantial, and powerful
The tree's momentum after the shari lines on the front were completed
"Harmony" draws on classics, is fresh and refined, gripping, and thought-provoking. The creator uses it to highlight the main theme of harmony, expressing a great righteousness, a national sentiment!
Further reading:
[Reflections of a Penjing Practitioner]
Text | Fujian Xiamen @Zhou Yingzhi
With a smile on your face, you are surrounded by sunshine and positive energy. Put yourself in others' shoes, and there will be fewer arguments and misunderstandings around you. Respect others, and you will receive their tolerance and understanding. Be modest and courteous, and you will be treated gently by the world. The world never shortchanges those who strive to live. Explore life with wisdom, and you will accumulate immeasurable merit. Move others with your character, and you will hold immeasurable heavenly virtue in your heart!