"After the harsh winter a seedling is pushing its way up, out of the earth and is touched for the first time by the sunshine!!!"
In the bottom part of the character, we
see a seed that is fighting its way out of the ground and into the sunlight.
Finally, the seedling can take part in the dance of life.
The character 生 Shēng means ”to be born, to give birth, to
live...". Let’s look at the separate parts:土 Tǔ (earth) at the bottom, which gives us
the idea of the earth which gives life to everything that lives on the ground. If
we link it to other words we can make new ones, 生產 to give birth , 生長 to grow, 生命life 生活 life, to live. Or 生命力 vitality 生動vivacious 生機to survive . All these terms describe something
or a situation which embodies the
concept of “life”.
置之死地而後生
jhìh jhih sǐh dì ér hòu sheng taken from the Book of War by Sūnzi‧jiǔdi《孫子‧九地》”It is when you are in life threatening situations that you really live . “This can be interpreted as meaning “If you can get over the fear of death then you can start to live.”
Being born is symbolically like being
dead in the womb and then coming back into the world. It is like passing from
the dark into the light. Death and life are not only in opposition but are also
dependent on each other: "what the caterpillar calls death, the butterfly
calls freedom ". Each phase of life or nature is both death and birth.
Being dead while still alive is also possible. There are many situations and
forms of behaviour which can kill us before we die physically.
Every time the rigidity of prejudice
opens up to the discovery of modernity. Every time the ice of hatred gives way
to understanding. Every time a hand, which is usually closed, gets the courage
to open up and hold another hand. Every time a heavy thought becomes light, as
if inspired by the flight of a swallow.
©兒童手搏文創Kids Shou Bo
Arte Cultura & Saggezza Cinese
Elaborated by M°Dante Basili /M°Stefano Danesi Translated by Neil Berry
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