有"史前卢浮宫"之称的法国拉斯科岩洞，其壁画中便绘有马的形象，这些艺术遗存距今已逾一万五千 年。而在中国传统艺术绘画中，从先秦青铜器纹饰到历代壁画，再到纸本水墨，马始终是最受青睐的意 象之一——既是身份与力量的象征，也是精神品格的载体与寄托。 马，作为中国绘画中的"常青树"，早已超越了其自然生物属性的范畴，成为承载中华文化历史记忆、民 族品格与人生感悟的文化象征。可以说，在中国人一生的不同阶段中，马的艺术形象变化勾勒出立体而 深邃的文化内涵。 东晋 顾恺之《洛神赋图》（宋摹）（局部）绢本设色 故宫博物院藏 纯黑色的骏马，亦指骏逸典雅的名马。 童话与色彩中的创新世界 有一天，我问还在读小学的女儿："说到马，你最先想到的是什么？最多还能想到什么？""马到成 功""战马""白马""小马宝莉"……从她口中接连不断涌出。我知道，这是她世界中的"马"，即便我反复追 问，总是难以触及我想到的那些。比如我说，"妈妈"的"妈"也与"马"有关。听到这里，她安静了。我意 识到，不是她的想象力不够丰富，也不是因为她的认识不深刻，而是我的理性与她的直觉产生了冲突。 从生物学角度看，孩童对世界的认知，始于感官的直观体验与想象力的自由驰骋 ...

《牧马图》的作者韩干，以简洁凝练的构图，勾勒出两匹骏马与一位奚官的鲜活形象。黑马昂首嘶鸣， 鬃毛飞扬，肌肉线条如弓弦般紧绷，尽显雄健遒劲的力量之美；白马低头踱步，温顺姿态中透着灵动之 气，与黑马的刚劲形成鲜明对比。一旁的奚官侧身牵缰，目光专注而沉静，与骏马相映成趣。韩干以精 湛的写实手法，将马的骨骼肌理、皮毛质感、神态气韵刻画得栩栩如生，难怪杜甫盛赞："韩干画马， 笔端有神。" ●魏益君 马年踏春而来，马蹄声仿佛穿越千年时空，在历史长卷中踏出一串灵动的音符。马，自古便是文人墨客 笔下跃动的生命意象，更是古代绘画中的经典题材。韩干的《牧马图》、张萱的《虢国夫人游春图》、 赵孟頫的《浴马图》等传世名作，皆以马为媒，串联起盛唐的华贵气象、宋元的雅致风韵，在岁月长河 中熠熠生辉。 元代赵孟頫的《浴马图》，则展现了一幅夏日溪边浴马的闲适图景。画面中，十四匹骏马形态各异、生 动自然，有的立于水中，任由溪水浸润皮毛；有的低头饮水，姿态温婉；有的昂首嘶鸣，意气风发；有 的卧地顾盼，慵懒闲适；还有的相互嬉戏，灵动可爱。九位奚官或挽缰引马，或俯身拭马，或闲坐小 憩，神态悠然自得，与骏马、溪水构成一幅和谐共生的画面。作者以淡墨勾勒 ...

Core Perspective - The upcoming Year of the Horse in the Chinese lunar calendar highlights the deep cultural significance of horses in Chinese art and history, symbolizing strength, speed, freedom, and loyalty [2]. Group 1: Historical Significance of Horses - The relationship between humans and horses began with practical uses but evolved into a cultural and artistic phenomenon, with horses symbolizing power and dreams throughout Chinese history [3]. - Horses have been depicted in various historical contexts, from the mythological tales of the Zhou Dynasty to the grand terracotta army of the Qin Dynasty, reflecting their association with authority and ambition [3][4]. Group 2: Cultural Symbolism - In folk culture, horses represent auspiciousness and are associated with success and vitality, forming a strong cultural foundation for the emergence of horse paintings [4]. - The artistic representation of horses transcends mere animal depiction, embodying the aesthetic values, aspirations, and collective psyche of the era [4]. Group 3: Golden Age of Horse Paintings - The Tang Dynasty marked a flourishing period for horse paintings, characterized by a vibrant culture and the influx of exotic horses from the West, leading to a widespread appreciation for horses among all social classes [6]. - Two distinct aesthetic realms emerged during this period: one celebrating the wild essence of horses, represented by artists like Wei Yan and Han Huang, and the other reflecting courtly ideals, exemplified by artists like Cao Ba and Han Gan [6][7]. Group 4: Artistic Evolution in Song and Yuan Dynasties - The Song Dynasty brought a cultural shift towards introspection and subtlety, leading to a transformation in horse paintings that incorporated literati aesthetics and historical context [9]. - Artists like Li Gonglin introduced a new style of "fine outline" painting, emphasizing line quality and abstract beauty, which shifted the focus from opulence to elegance in horse art [9][10]. Group 5: Challenges and Innovations in Ming and Qing Dynasties - The Ming and Qing Dynasties saw a decline in the creative vigor of horse paintings, as the rise of literati painting and changing societal tastes diminished the genre's appeal [11]. - However, the Qing Dynasty also witnessed the introduction of Western artistic techniques by artists like Lang Shining, which revitalized horse paintings with new perspectives and dimensionality [11][12]. Group 6: Modern Transformation - In the 20th century, Xu Beihong revolutionized horse painting by integrating Western techniques with traditional Chinese aesthetics, using horses as symbols of resilience and national spirit [13]. - His works often depicted dynamic and powerful horses, reflecting the struggles and aspirations of the Chinese people during tumultuous times, thus elevating horse paintings to a modern symbol of national identity [13].

Core Viewpoint - The article highlights the significance of the "Yishi Tu" (Relay Messenger Map) and other artifacts from the Wei-Jin tombs in Gansu's Jiayuguan, showcasing their historical and artistic value, as well as their cultural implications for ancient Chinese postal systems and daily life [3][5][12]. Group 1: Cultural Significance of Artifacts - The "Yishi Tu" is a painted brick that reveals ancient postal codes, depicting a relay messenger in motion, symbolizing the confidentiality of the postal system [5][6]. - The "Yishi Tu" was selected as a core element of the China Post logo in 1982, emphasizing its importance in Chinese postal history [5]. - The "Yishi Tu" features a deliberate omission of the messenger's mouth, representing the principle of confidentiality in the postal system [5]. Group 2: Artistic and Historical Insights - The "Yishi Tu" is noted for its minimalist yet expressive artistic style, using ochre as a base color and simple lines to convey dynamic movement [5]. - The tomb also contains a "Barbecue Scene" mural, which illustrates the entire process of slaughtering and cooking, earning it the title of "China's First Barbecue Picture" [8]. - The "Feast Scene" mural indicates the presence of a mature "shared dining system" during the Wei-Jin period, showcasing the social customs and culinary culture of the time [10]. Group 3: Educational Impact - The "Muma Tu" (Horse Herding Map) and "Caisang Hushang Tu" (Mulberry Picking Map) have been included in the new national history textbooks, highlighting their role as historical evidence of ethnic integration and prosperity in the Wei-Jin period [12]. - These artifacts reflect the daily life and cultural practices of the time, providing insights into the socio-economic conditions of the Hexi Corridor [12].