The meaning and symbolism of the cicada.
The cicada is one of the common images in ancient China, and the meaning and symbolism it represents also varies in different cultures and eras. Here are some common meanings and symbols of cicadas:
1.The sound of cicadas chirps symbolizes the arrival of summer. In ancient times, the cicada was often seen as a messenger of summer, and its chirping was seen as a symbol of summer. In the Book of Songs, there is a description of "May Song", which means that in May, the cicadas have begun to chirp. Therefore, cicadas are also endowed with the image of summer in culture, and are often used to express their love and yearning for summer and nature.
2.Cicadas have a very short life cycle, only a few weeks or months. Therefore, the cicada is also seen as a symbol of life, reminding people to cherish life and grasp the present. In ancient literature, the life cycle of cicadas is also often used to express the impermanence and transience of life, encouraging people to cherish every moment and strive to pursue their dreams.
3.The cicada also has a noble and elegant symbolic meaning in Chinese culture. Since cicadas are mostly found in high places such as branches and treetops, they are also regarded as a symbol of nobility and elegance. In ancient literature, the image of the cicada was also often used to describe a person's noble character and elegant behavior. For example, in the "Historical Records", Sima Qian once used the term "high cicada" to describe people's noble character.
4.Cicadas also have special allegorical and symbolic meanings in Buddhist culture. In Buddhism, the cicada is a representative of one of the "six realms of reincarnation", symbolizing the flow and cycle of life. At the same time, the cicada is also seen as a spiritual animal, as it needs to spend a long time underground before it can eventually climb to the surface and become an adult. Therefore, in Buddhist culture, cicadas are also used to encourage people to practice and comprehend the true meaning of life.
To sum up, cicadas have different meanings and symbolic meanings in different cultures and eras. In modern society, the image of the cicada is still widely used in literature, art, design and other fields, and has become an indispensable part of human culture.