Flowers: Cultural And Auspicious Dimensions Applied To Chinese Ceramics Products

Abstract

The objective of this research is to study the application of flower patterns on blue and white porcelain in the period of Xuande of the Ming Dynasty in other ceramic products from cultural and auspicious dimensions. A mixed research methodology of qualitative research and quantitative research is adopted in this paper, including research methods of literature review, observation, field investigation, questionnaire survey, etc. The study samples are an evaluation of the flower patterns from 450 Chinese visitors to Jingdezhen, and 5 experts in the field of blue and white porcelain painting and ceramic product design. The research geographical scope is in Jingdezhen (1. Imperial Kiln Factory of Jingdezhen 2. Jingdezhen China Ceramics Museum 3. The Pottery Workshop of Jingdezhen  4. Ceramic Art Avenue of Jingdezhen).

The results found that four types of flowers were used comprehensively in ceramic products, namely lotus, chrysanthemum, peony, and camellia. The lotus, chrysanthemum, peony, and camellia painted on blue and white porcelain during the period of Xuande reflected the aesthetics and lifestyles in the society of the Ming Dynasty. Therefore, the research on the ceramic products of blue and white porcelain mainly focuses on the design of patterns. The combinational design was applied to the four types of flowers. Two kinds of ornamentation, namely the pattern of twined branch and broken flower style, are designed respectively according to the composition patterns of two different characteristics of the flowers.