The Geometry of the Zodiac

The zodiac is widely known as a band of twelve celestial constellations. It also contains a mathematical model for cosmographic depiction, based on observations of the sun, moon, and visible planets as they traverse the celestial ecliptic. Here wee consider the zodiac as a timepiece or calendar; how this system of planets and constellations emerges from elementary geometric patterns; and how these patterns inform the symbols of the zodiac and frame our world view.     

在秩序的边缘徘徊——象征主义在现代文学理论史中的命运

象征主义作为新兴的文学思潮,在现代文坛上引起极大的争论。作为对现代中国的文学秩序的总结,这一时期的“文学概论”著作对象征主义等现代主义文学思潮的兴起、宣传和引导有十分重要的意义。“象征主义”从最开始被提上文学理论史的日程并被合理定位,到后来被边缘化的历程,是以国家和民族的现代化取代了现代文学之家的个性的历程,也是中国古代文学与文化的传统性和现代马列主义大一统化的历程。     

法国象征主义诗艺与戴望舒的诗歌创作

法国象征主义诗艺对戴望舒诗歌创作的影响是多方面的。在初期,戴望舒受魏尔仑“音乐先于一切”主张的影响,特别重视诗歌语言的音乐性,随后又否定了对音乐性的追求,转而效仿耶麦的散文性、口语化语言,引进了一种新的自由体诗歌体式,对此后的中国现代诗产生了广泛的影响。这是戴望舒对中国现代诗的重要贡献。     

What’s in a name? The effects of sound symbolism and package shape on consumer responses to food products

In the global market, consumers are exposed to multiple brand names in unfamiliar languages. Even meaningless words can trigger certain semantic associations. This phenomenon is known as sound symbolism, i.e., the direct link between a sound and a meaning. Sound symbolism helps consumers to form product expectations based on unfamiliar brand names. Product expectations can be also formed based on various elements of packaging design, including colours, shapes and materials. This study investigated the effects of unfamiliar brand names (“Asahi” vs. “Ramune”), package shapes (round vs. angular) and product types (muesli cookie vs. butter cookie) varied in perceived healthiness (low vs. high) on perceived product healthfulness, product evaluation, taste expectations and purchase intention. General health interest (GHI) was used as the moderating variable. The results showed that package shape and product type significantly influenced the perceived product healthfulness of the two experimental products. Brand name alone did not affect consumer responses. However, the congruent combination of product shape and brand name (round “Ramune” cookie) was preferred to incongruent combinations. Furthermore, the congruent combinations (“Ramune” butter cookie and “Asahi” muesli cookie) were expected to taste better and were more likely to be purchased compared to incongruent combinations. These results suggest that congruency between the type of product, brand name, and package design is important for creating a successful brand strategy. The study also showed that the effects of sound symbolism and congruency on perceived product healthfulness are more pronounced for consumers with low interest in healthy eating. However, further research is needed to generalise our results to other product groups.     

Instrumentality,aesthetics and symbolism of physical artifacts as triggers of emotion

Building on qualitative data collected from three groups of professionals who assessed the green colour of a public transportation bus, this paper develops a model of the relationship between physical artifacts and emotions. The model suggests that artifacts need to be analysed according to three conceptually distinct aspects: instrumentality, aesthetics and symbolism. These three aspects are suggested to arouse emotion through different mechanisms: a hygiene, a sensory and an associative mechanism. The model opens an arena for extensive future research on the role and influence of physical artifacts in general and on emotions in particular.     

Sonic food words influence the experience of beverage healthfulness

The consumption of healthful foods is relevant for the well-being of society. However, understanding healthfulness may be difficult because, in some cultures (i.e., the U.S.), individuals assume that unhealthy equals tasty, an association that does not hold in other contexts (i.e., France). Auditory cues could serve to inform consumers about the expected experience with food and thus could signal the sensory experience of a healthy product. This research contributes to the literature on the use of sound symbolism for analysis of the influence of onomatopoeias as packaging information that influences the expected healthfulness of a bottled drink. The study is a 4 × 4 mixed-model experiment. Grouping was done according to onomatopoeia variables as follows: “Fizz,” “Glup,” “Ahhh,” and control. Beverage color, a within-subject variable, was grouped as green, yellow, red, and control. Results show that the healthful concept is defined in two dimensions: fulfilling and light. Onomatopoeias motivated the experience of a less fulfilling beverage, which had the strongest effect on “Fizz” condition. For the light dimension, “Ahhh” diminishes the perception of light, thus creating the idea that the drink is high in calories. This study reaches out to food industries on the need to find the most consistent and pleasurable sound associated with their products. This will enable food industries to provide information to consumers as well as ascertain how much they enjoy the product.     

The Trees of the Sacred Natural Sites of Zagori,NW Greece

Cultural landscapes can often be identified by the presence of sacred trees which have been retained and can be recognised as distinctive veteran trees. The characteristics of these trees such as huge size and longevity give them an enduring presence in the landscape, while their conceptualisation as the ‘domesticated’ wild, transform them into symbols of spirituality and local history. In Zagori, NW Greece, trees gain sanctity by virtue of proximity or connection with sacred sites often associated with churches. In these sites, trees can grow into natural shapes as a result of strong taboos, which prevent use for private needs. There is an association between tree species and the nature of the sacred site: broadleaved oaks and maples are associated with outlying churches; plane trees are located in central squares, next to the church and provide a focal point for community life, while in cemeteries native evergreens are nowadays replaced by planted conifers. In the present day local communities appreciate sacred trees as living elements of their collective memory and local history.     

Architectural survey of historical buildings: The orders of classical architecture in the Baptistery of Florence

The survey of historic buildings is very important for architectural conservation. An integral survey allows perpetuating the building historical memory, deciphering it for future generations, and recovering it in case of accidental loss. The Baptistery of Florence survey was done with four measuring methods: the “direct” one, which employs traditional measuring tools; the “indirect” one, which expedites the dimension-gathering process with more precision; and the “photogrammetric” one, which uses snapshots to facilitate the representation process with computers. An innovative measuring concept, known here as the “recovery survey”, synthetizes graphical reality so that irregularitiesddue to the project materialization and deterioration over timeddisappear; therefore, retrieving the building original design. Columns with their bases, shafts and capitals, as well as entablatures with their architraves, friezes and cornices were under study. The three Greek orders (Doric, Ionic and Corinthian) together with the two roman orders (Tuscan and Composite) unveiled the classical architecture significance. These constituents, which reoccur inside and outside the baptistery, were measured as part of these holistic survey and recovery process, to achieve the objective of this research study: the recording of this world historical building through an integral survey and rilievo to decode its significance and symbolism.     

穆木天对象征主义诗歌的探索

穆木天以其深厚的象征主义文学根基及独到的感悟,对象征主义诗歌进行了大胆的探索。这探索是从理论与实践两个层面进行的,在理论方面提出"纯诗"论的主张,在实践方面创作了大量象征主义诗歌,出版了《旅心》这部优秀的象征主义诗集。穆木天并不会食洋不化,完全照搬西方。生长于中国大地的穆木天,自然会受到中国传统文化的浸染,穆木天成为了中西合璧诗人。理论与实践并行,中国与西方的结合,使得穆木天对象征主义的探索拥有结构上的系统、全面与内容上的丰富、独到。     

景观意象论——探索当代中国风景园林对传统意境论传承的途径

滥觞于史前的象征主义艺术,形成中国人意象审美的萌芽,象形文字和表意文字的使用,使意象审美成为中国人审美的本质特征.无论在传统园林、当代景观营建乃至普通大众的风景欣赏中意象审美无处不在.意境是中国传统艺术的精华,是中国式智慧的结晶,意象思维与意象审美是意境传承的核心实质.通过对中国人思维方式的理性思考,概括,提炼出"中国式"设计理论--景观意象论,以探索当代中国风景园林对传统意境论传承的途径.