Page 230 - A Dictionary of Chinese Symbols BIG Book
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Ma-zu in the temple of Chang-hua (Taiwan)
Meander
hui-wen
This type of strip ornamentation, which is still used a great deal on carpets and similar
articles with decorated borders, makes its appearance as far back as the Neolithic age,
when it was used on pottery. The motif occurs in many forms. Often it consists of
squares within squares in endless series. As this pattern bears a strong resemblance to the
Chinese written character meaning ‘to return’ (hui) the meander pattern symbolises
‘rebirth’. A similar figure is the hui-hui-jin, the basic element in which is formed by two
squares fitting into each other (jin means ‘brocade’ or simply ‘patterned weave’). The
meander design is related to the swastika motif.
Meander patterns
