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Abstract
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Abstract
In historical contexts, it is known that various calendars were used alongside different calculation methods. In Far Eastern Asian cultures, common calendars were used where various animals were distributed according to years, each animal carrying different meanings. In these cultures, calendars featuring “twelve animal figures” show similarities in the names of animals and their orderings. Referring to all these calendars, astrologers attempt to predict future events based on the animal representing the year. It is believed that the Zodiac system consisting of twelve constellations is also associated with a year consisting of twelve months. Although its source is not clearly known, the Twelve Animal Zodiac Calendar used in Chinese society includes animal names in the following order: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig.
Depictions of zodiac signs and constellations have been found in art since ancient times. Through contemporary art practices of today, this study is based on the theme that has found its place in contemporary art practices, primarily focusing on what the Twelve Animal Calendar signifies and its artistic reflections. In this study examining the origins and characteristics of the twelve animal signs in ancient Chinese tradition, animal metaphors used to characterize people based on their birth dates in China have been explored. An example of an artistic project themed around the Twelve Animal Calendar, compiled from works of artists from different countries, has also been evaluated within this framework. The artistic reflections of the “Twelve Animal Calendar,” which is still important in modern times, have been explained through examples of ceramic teapot exhibitions held in China between 2008 and 2019. Ceramic teapot exhibitions organized within the framework of the “Twelve Animal Calendar” covering 12 years have been evaluated among participating artists.
