Spirit of Elegance and Populace in Chinese Aesthetics -- Cultural Roots Series

Author: Li Daotian
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2004-12-01
Features: The Chinese aesthetic tradition of "valuing elegance" and "revering elegance" has long emphasized the dominant role of humans in the creation of artistic works. This tradition in Chinese aesthetics places extreme emphasis on the relationship between humans and life, and its characteristics are particularly evident in the humanistic pursuit of a poetic existence. Chinese aesthetics holds that it is only through humans that beauty exists, upholding the principle of pursuing a poetic existence. It starts "from the object" but ultimately "leads with the heart," emphasizing that "beauty is not inherently beautiful; it becomes manifest through people." This is based on the humanistic spirit of "valuing elegance" and "revering elegance" in Chinese aesthetics, which serves as the theoretical foundation for further development to a higher level.
Among the natural world, humans are the most precious, possessing their own independence, nobility, and agency. Therefore, humans can "establish the heart of heaven and earth," "participate in the heavens," and "roam" within the four seas and between heaven and earth. Through the mutual integration and permeation of the subject and object, humans can achieve the cosmic realm of unity between heaven and humanity.