Antique Chinese Parrots

Parrots were put on a pedestal in ancient China. They were part and parcel of the various Chinese cultures and were considered as symbols of good omen. They were attributed with different meanings by various cultures. As parrots were symbolic of good things, ancient Chinese people used to depict these birds on statues, porcelain dishes, pendents, hairpins, etc. These objects of art are very much popular as antiques and people love to collect individual pieces or those belonging to a particular period. Antique Chinese parrots are very much in demand and are available in various shapes and styles, with delicate designs and vibrant colors. Let us know more about these marvelous collectibles.

Parrots in Ancient Chinese Culture

In ancient China, parrots were companions of the women folk and were often kept in the living quarters of women. It was believed that parrots were capable of keeping the secrets of females. Parrots were also considered as symbols of freedom and long life. These birds were related to the occurrence of rains during the Hongshan culture of the Neolithic period. The flight of parrots was an indicator of the coming rains for the Chinese people at that time. They depended on this sight, to start planting of crops. Parrots were also known as 'divine birds' during the reign of emperor Xuanzong during the Tang Dynasty. This emperor had a parrot, which was capable of mimicking and doing many tricks. This ability was appreciated by everyone and the parrot was loved and honored. Since that time, parrots came to be known as 'divine birds'.

Parrots are also associated with feng shui. According to feng shui, parrots symbolize positive energy. These birds are considered as bearers of good news and it is also said that the feathers of parrots possess different colors that represent the five elements of feng shui - water, wood, fire, earth / soil and metal. The Chinese people also believe that a pair of parrots are a sign of love and fidelity.

Parrots in Chinese Antiques

As parrots were considered to be symbols of many good things, the ancient Chinese people depicted these birds in their works of art. You can find numerous antiques of Chinese origin, which portray this bird in various shapes, sizes and colors. Some of them are explained below:

• The most prominent among the antique Chinese parrots are the ceramic roof tile parrots, which were placed on the edges of rooftops of homes and buildings, either public or private. It was believed that these roof tile parrots, usually made of ceramic or terracotta with a highly glazed finish, could protect the inmates from bad luck and create positive energy in the building. The number of such parrots on the rooftop of any structure was directly proportional to the importance of that building (like those of emperors or the government). The more important the building, the greater the number of rooftop parrots. However, the number of rooftop parrots was limited to nine.
• Another area where images of parrots were extensively used, was Chinese porcelain. Most of the ancient Chinese porcelain, which date back to the sixteenth century, have delicate designs of parrots, either in flight or perched on tree branches. Statues of parrots, made of porcelain, were also in vogue and were available in pairs.
• Parrots were carved out of ivory too. A classical example is the large parrot charm, made in the 1930s. Ivory carvings consist of parrots by themselves or the bird with maidens. Another material used to carve out parrots was Chinese jade, which was otherwise known as the 'stone of heaven'. During ancient times, this stone was very rare and was worn only by the emperors.

Antique Chinese parrots are indeed unique and valuable, but if you are interested in owning one, ensure its authenticity. Make sure that it is not damaged. Never buy anything that is chipped, cracked or with faded paint.