Семантика цветонаименований в китайском языке (универсальное и национальное) [The semantics of Chinese colour terms: universal and regional characteristics]

This book offers a diachronic and semantic analysis of Chinese colour terminology from ancient times to the present day. It explores the concepts of “primary” and “mixed” colours as they relate to the seasons, cardinal directions, and the five elements. The study reveals parallels with Indo-European traditions and striking correspondences with European scientific theories, including the presence of the composite colour category 青 qīng.
Applying Berlin and Kay’s theory of universalism, the research identifies the Shang–Zhou period as corresponding to Stage III in the development of the Chinese colour system. With the introduction of Newton’s spectral theory into China, the traditional five-colour model was transformed. An analysis of 11 colour term groups led to the identification of nine basic colour terms in Modern Standard Mandarin, corresponding to Stage VII: 白 bái, 黑 hēi, 紅 hóng, 黃 huáng, 綠 lǜ, 藍 lán, 褐 hè, 紫 zǐ, 灰 huī.
Special attention is given to Anna Wierzbicka’s theory of semantic primitives, which reveals discrepancies between Chinese colour terms and universal cognitive categories. For example, yellow is associated not with the sun but with the earth, while red represents both fire and light. The category of “white” is complicated by the opposition between “coloured” and “uncoloured.”
The study highlights the role of cultural memory, etymology, and ethnopsychology in shaping colour meanings and opens new avenues for research in linguistics, cognitive science, and intercultural communication.