Symbolic Symbols and Their Philosophical Implications in the Literati Paintings of the Song Dynasty

Abstract: As an important art form in the history of Chinese painting development, the cultural status and ideological consciousness of Song Dynasty literati painting are far-reaching. This paper combines the analysis of specific works with philosophical interpretation to explore the symbolic symbols and philosophical implications in Song Dynasty literati painting, analyze how these symbols reflect the literati mentality and social reality in a specific historical period, and explore their inspiration for the development of contemporary art. The argument shows that the symbolic symbols in Song Dynasty literati painting are not only an artistic language, but also a carrier of ideology and cultural identity, reflecting the literati group’s dual response to political reality and individual spiritual freedom. Through the exploration of this system, the influence of literati painting on traditional thought can be better understood, providing a new thinking path for contemporary art to construct modern art identity through symbolic representation.