吉庆生肖 ｜“生肖+圆明园”元素创作感受中国传统文化故事

Chinese Zodiac Culture | Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads in Yuanmingyuan: The Return of Century-old National Treasures

吉庆年年—壬寅虎年生肖作品展

Year of Auspice – Virtual Exhibition 

for Zodiac Designs of the Year of the Tiger

全球吉庆生肖设计大赛的每一件作品背后，都凝练了作者对中国传统文化的理解与热爱，通过艺术创作将生肖文化的内涵和美感传递给海内外的生肖文化爱好者们。大赛获奖作品中蕴含了哪些文化内涵呢？今天，就让我们一起来看看这件以“圆明园虎首”为原型的作品背后有着怎样的设计灵感和中国传统文化故事吧！

Each entry of the Global Chinese Zodiac Design Competition conveys its designer’s understanding and love of traditional Chinese culture. Through their artistic works, they pass on the cultural and aesthetic connotations of Chinese zodiac to zodiac culture lovers both at home and abroad. What cultural connotations do the prize winners of the competition contain? Let’s listen to the stories of traditional Chinese culture that inspire the works participating in the zodiac design competition for the Year of the Tiger.

2022全球吉庆生肖设计大赛（壬寅虎年）

圆明园专题设计单元优秀奖

《如虎添翼-虎首多功能支架》

The Global Chinese Zodiac Design Competition 2022(The Year of the Tiger)

Yuanmingyuan-themed Design Category Excellent Award

“Tiger with Wings—Multifunctional Stand in the Shape of a Tiger Head”

作者介绍  Designer

陈志艾 Chen Zhiai

李子明 Li Ziming

设计说明 Design description

该文创产品结合“生肖+圆明园”元素进行创作，灵感来源于圆明园的虎首、大水法遗址、12生肖铜像喷泉按时辰喷水。圆明园的文化遗产和中国传统生肖文化，是我们宝贵的精神财富，是历史发展的见证，也是后人传承文明、继往开来的文化渊源。

通过本作品的创作，增强了大众对圆明园瑞兽的辨识度以及对圆明园和生肖传统文化的认知，创造出了充满美感、时代精神及文化内涵、颇具实用性的文创作品，在宣传传统文化的同时提升圆明园的影响力。

This cultural and creative product, combining Zodiac culture and Yuanmingyuan elements, drew inspiration from the Tiger Head, one of the Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads originally decorating the grand fountain of Yuanmingyuan, which sprayed water according to the shichen (traditional twelve two-hour periods) they represent. The cultural heritage of Yuanmingyuan and traditional Zodiac culture are precious spiritual wealth of Chinese people that bears testimony of history. They are also the cultural legacies which future generations can carry forward. 

This work helps enhance public understanding of the auspicious animals in Yuanmingyuan as well as traditional Zodiac culture. This product is full of aesthetic value and cultural connotation, demonstrates the spirit of the times, and has great practicability. While promoting traditional Chinese culture, it helps expand the influence of Yuanmingyuan. 

圆明园十二生肖兽首铜像

Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads in Yuanmingyuan

（圆明园十二生肖兽首铜像模型 Models of the Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads in Yuanmingyuan）

圆明园是清朝的珍宝馆，里面的奇珍异宝无数，其中最出名的建筑是“海晏堂”。海晏堂建于1759年（乾隆二十四年），“海晏”取意“河清海晏，国泰民安”，此语用以比喻天下太平，有歌颂世界和平的吉祥涵义。而此建筑群中的精华就是能够以水报时的十二生肖铜像。

在第二次鸦片战争中，英法联军冲入圆明园并纵火焚烧圆明园，导致圆明园奇观毁于一旦，大部分文物也惨遭掠夺毁坏，其中最为人知晓的就是圆明园十二生肖兽首铜像。

Yuanmingyuan was a“treasure trove” of the Qing Empire (1644-1911). In addition to numerous treasures, there were also famous buildings such as the Haiyan Hall, built in 1759 (the 24th year of Emperor Qianlong’s reign). Its name“Haiyan” conveys a prayer for peace and tranquility. Therefore, it contains the auspicious vision of world peace. The centerpiece of this building the Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads that announced time with fountains. 

During the second Opium War, the Anglo-French Allied Forces broke into and burned down Yuanmingyuan, destroying the architectural and gardening wonder. Besides, most cultural relics housed there were also looted or destructed, of which the most famous are the Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads. 

独特的工艺与造型

Unique Techniques and Designs

（圆明园中陈列的十二生肖铜像 The Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads in Yuanmingyuan）

圆明园十二生肖兽首铜像，又称“圆明园兽首”。生肖铜像身躯为石雕穿着袍服的造型，头部为写实风格造型，铸工精细，兽首上的褶皱和绒毛等细微处，都清晰逼真。铸造兽首所选用的材料为当时清廷精炼的红铜，外表色泽深沉、内蕴精光，历经百年而不锈蚀，堪称一绝。

据考证，当年十二生肖铜像呈八字形排列在圆明园海晏堂前的一个水池两边，被时人称为“水力钟”。每日，十二生肖铜像会依次轮流喷水，分别代表全日不同时分，正午时分时，十二像会同时涌射。

The Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads are also known as“Yuanmingyuan Animal Heads”, which feature stone personified bodies wearing robes and realistic bronze heads. The animal heads are vividly crafted, with clear and lifelike details such as wrinkles and fur. The material used to cast the animal heads is red bronze smelt by government artisans of the Qing Dynasty. They feature sedate luster emitting from inside, and haven’t gotten rusty even after a century of weathering. 

It has been verified that the Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads radiated on both sides of a water pond in front of the Haiyuan Hall in Yuanmingyuan. Back then, they were called“hydraulic bells”. Each day, the twelve statues sprayed water in turn to announce the different shichen. At noon, they sprayed water together. 

兽首的回归

Return of Animal Heads

（南京城墙博物馆圆明园兽首展 Exhibition of Yuanmingyuan Animal Heads at Nanjing City Wall Museum）

尽管十二兽首因英法联军的掠夺而流失海外，但是中国政府始终以坚定的决心不断推进着文物的回归，近些年来随着各界人士的不断支持，已经有不少兽首回归中国。

2000年4月，牛首、猴首和虎首首次出现在了香港的春季拍卖会上，当时的中国保利集团分别将其拍下，其中虎首以高于底价三倍的价格即1400万港币投得，之后无偿捐献给了祖国，这也成为了圆明园兽首回归祖国的开端。

The Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads were looted by the Anglo-French Allied Forces and had been lost overseas. However, the Chinese government has never given up the determination to retrieve them. In recent years, under the support of people from all walks of life, many of the animal heads have been returned to China. 

In April 2000, the Ox Head, the Monkey Head, and the Tiger Head first appeared at the spring auction in Hong Kong. China Poly Group purchased them at the auction, of which the Tiger Head was auctioned at a price of HK$14 million, three times of its base price. Poly then donated them to the state. This heralded the start of Yuanmingyuan Animal Heads’ return to the motherland. 

兽首回归时间线

Timeline of the Return of Yuanmingyuan Animal Heads 

猪首

2003年，由著名企业家何鸿燊出资收购，最后捐献给保利艺术博物馆。

Pig Head 

In 2003, renowned entrepreneur Stanley Ho Hung-sun purchased the Pig Head and then donated it to the Poly Art Museum. 

马首

2007年，由何鸿燊斥巨资购得，并捐献给国家。

Horse Head 

In 2007, Stanley Ho Hung-sun invested a large amount to purchase the Horse Head and then donated it to the state. 

猴首

2000年4月30日，中国保利集团在佳士得拍卖行以818.5万港元购得，现存放于保利艺术博物馆。

Monkey Head 

On April 30, 2000, China Poly Group purchased the Monkey Head at a price of HK$8,185,000 at Christie’s auction house, which is now collected in the Poly Art Museum. 

虎首

2000年，中国保利集团在苏富比拍卖行以1400万港元购得，现存放于保利艺术博物馆。

Tiger Head

In 2000, China Poly Group purchased the Tiger Head at a price of HK$14,000,000 at Sotheby’s auction house, which is now collected in the Poly Art Museum. 

牛首

由中国保利集团在2000年4月30日以774.5万港元在佳士得拍卖行购得。

Ox Head

On April 30, 2000, China Poly Group purchased the Ox Head at a price of HK$7,745,000 at Christie’s auction house. 

鼠首

2013年6月8日由法国皮诺家族捐赠给国家博物馆，这也是圆明园十二生肖兽首首次以无偿捐赠方式回归。

Rat Head

On June 8, 2013, the French Pinault family donated the Rat Head to the National Museum of China. This was the first time that the Yuanmingyuan Animal Heads returned to China through donation. 

兔首

和鼠首一样，也是在2013年6月8日由皮诺家族捐赠。

Rabbit Head

Just like the Rad Head, the Rabbit Head was also donated by the Pinault family to China on June 8, 2013. 

通过华商捐赠（马首、猪首），以及外国友人返还（鼠首、兔首），圆明园的十二兽首正在从失散走向重聚。

Through donations by Chinese business tycoon (the Horse Head and the Pig Head) and the voluntary return by foreign friends (the Rat Head and the Rabbit Head), the Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads of Yuanmingyuan are expected to reunite again. 

虎首铜像

Bronze Tiger Head 

（虎首铜像保利集团藏 Bronze Tiger Head in the collection of China Poly Group）

圆明园十二兽首铜像当中的虎首铜像，头部造型非常写实，无论铸工还是褶皱和绒毛，均精琢细制，十分清晰逼真。

在中国传统文化中，老虎与“王”一直有着密不可分的关系，因此在我国的文化意象中，老虎一直是一个威风猛猛的“百兽之王”形象。

而这个虎首铜像，恰好呈现出了老虎大嘴张开，一副虎啸风生之相，威猛之态尽出。同时，因为其材质的关系，虎首铜像的表面依旧维持着莹润光滑的色泽，铜质非常细腻，整体而言保存是很完好的。透过这个虎首铜像，我们仿佛能看到百年之前先人一丝不苟的做工。

The Tiger Head, one of the Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads in Yuanmingyuan, features a realistic style. It boasts superb craftmanship, with wrinkles and fur being vivid and lifelike.

In traditional Chinese culture, the tiger is closely associated with the“king”. Therefore, Chinese people always regard the tiger as the powerful king of beasts.

The Tiger Head just depicts a tiger with its mouth wide open, which looks majestic and awe-inspiring. Moreover, due to its material, the bronze statue maintains luminous and smoothy luster. In general, it remains intact. The Tiger Head enables us to learn about the scrupulous craftmanship a century ago. 

十二生肖兽首或许并非是圆明园价值最为昂贵的文物，但却是无数中国工匠呕心沥血创作而来。这不仅是中华文明的象征，更是中国文化中不可或缺的一部分。虽然现在已经有多只兽首回归祖国，但是它们回家的路途并没有我们想象得那么顺利。这对于我们大众来讲，也是一种历史文化的教育，强化了人们对未来的历史责任和文化精神，增强了文化自觉，带来了文化自信。

Perhaps the Twelve Bronze Zodiac Animal Heads are not the most valuable cultural relics of Yuanmingyuan, but they fully manifest the spirit of craftmanship of ancient Chinese. They are not only the symbols of Chinese civilization, but also an integral part of Chinese culture. Although several of the Yuanmingyuan Animal Heads have returned to China, their way home isn’t a smooth sail as we imagined. For the public, this is an education of history and culture, which can intensify their responsibility for history, enrich their cultural spirit, strengthen their cultural consciousness, and consolidate their cultural confidence.