Chinese and Korean art definitions

Bi

a round ceremonial disk found in ancient Chinese tombs; characterized by having a circular hole in the center, which may have symbolized heaven

Bodhisattva

a deity who refrains from entering nirvana to help others

coiling

a method of creating pottery in which a rope like strand of clay is wrapped and layered into a shape before being fired in a kiln

Colophon

a commentary on the end panel of a Chinese handscroll; an inscription at the end of a manuscript containing relevant information on its publication

Confucianism

a philosophical belief begun by Confucius that stresses education, devotion to family, mutual respect, and traditional culture

Daoism

a philosophical belief begun by Laozi that stresses individual expression and a striving to find balance in one’s life

Hanja

Chinese characters used in Korean script with a Korean pronunciation

Literati

a sophisticated and scholarly group of Chinese artists who painted for themselves rather than for fame and mass acceptance. their work is highly individualized.

Pagoda

a tower built of many stories. each succeeding story is identical in style to the one beneath it, only smaller. Pagodas typically have dramatically projecting eaves that curl up at the ends

porcelain

a ceramic made from clay that when fired in a kiln produced a product that is hard, white, brittle, and shiny

potter’s wheel

a device that usually has a pedal used to make a flat circular table spin, so that a potter can create pottery

throwing

molding clay forms on a potter’s wheel

throwing

molding clay forms on a potter’s wheel

vairocana

the universal Buddha, a source of enlightenment; also known as the supreme buddha who represents “emptiness” that is, freedom from earthly matters to help achieve salvation

Yin and Yang

Complementary polarities.

Yin

a feminine symbol that has a dark, soft, moist and weak characteristics.

Yang

a male symbols that has bright hard, dry, and strong characteristics