The perception of images of Chinese animals in Russia and the West

The study focuses on the analysis of the processes of cultural adaptation of traditional Chinese animal symbols (dragon, crane, phoenix) in Russia and Western countries. The relevance of the topic is due to the necessity of studying the mechanisms of intercultural interaction in the context of globalization, as well as the role of exoticism in shaping the perception of the “other.” The subject of the research is the process of perception and transformation of the symbolic meanings of Chinese animal images in Russian and Western cultural traditions. The object consists of traditional Chinese animal symbols in literary and architectural monuments, as well as historical artifacts of Russia and the West. These images are traditionally linked to the philosophical and moral concepts of Chinese culture, reflecting important aspects of worldview and social order. In Western countries, the symbols were perceived as exotic, acquiring new aesthetic and ideological meanings. The methodology includes a comparative-historical analysis, a semiotic approach to the interpretation of symbols, and the study of visual sources. An analysis of literary works and architectural objects demonstrating the influence of Chinese images was also applied. The scientific novelty of the research lies in the comprehensive examination of the transformation of Chinese animal symbols in the context of intercultural dialogue encompassing Russia and Western Europe. The work shows how original Chinese symbols, initially possessing strictly defined meanings (for example, the dragon as a symbol of power and wisdom, the crane as a symbol of longevity), transformed into aestheticized elements of exoticism, adapting to Western cultural and ideological demands. The research first combines various types of sources (literary texts, historical documents, artifacts, and architectural elements), demonstrating that the integration of Chinese images into Western and Russian culture reflects not only the interaction and mutual influence of civilizations but also the dynamics of cultural assimilation. The main conclusion is that Chinese animal symbols have become a tool for rethinking the cultural identity of Western and Russian societies, while the very process of their exoticization served as an important mechanism for cultural exchange. The results obtained are significant for further research on intercultural communication.

cultural exchange, animal symbolism, intercultural adaptation, exoticization, historical transformation, Visual images, Intercultural perception, intercultural interaction, oriental motifs, symbolic meaning