CCU
Theme : Social life between western and eastern culture
Title : Cross understanding love feeling around the word
I. Introductory
Human is a perfect creature that God ever create. God give five senses to human to feel around. Those five senses have their field to respect and response the environment. Those are work together and integrate each other creature is “feeling”. God give human feeling to be a good creature so that human can empathy each other. That is one is the key of peace whole the word.
Love is a strong feeling of deep affection for somebody ore something without payment or other rewards. The customs to saying love around the word is unique. All part around the word has their own ways to explain the love feeling each other. The language usage to explain love depend on where they come from, it represent their language custom and their cross culture linguistic
Language has some deeper meaning depend on how human interpret language in their mind. How human interpret and integrate language in life is more important than just digest from the definition of language. Language according to Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary is the system of sounds and words used by humans to express their thoughts and feelings. Language is human universal. All cultural groups have a language system that their members master in order to communicate with each other. Language and culture are closely related. Customs, traditions, values, stories, religion, history and other manifestations of culture are transmitter largely through language (Mary Ashworth and H. Patricia Wakefield). The strong correlation between language and culture is representing the culture of nation. Language can be the sign of nation. Language is reflection of uniqueness nation.
The language usage in each nation to represent love is variety. Some nations use their mother language to showing love and others use universal language. They show their love because of many reasons, not just focus on interpersonal relationship but also on social relationship because love is a symbol of care. People may choose some great moment to show their love feeling; it can make human sense out of the ordinary. The special place is the other ways to show love with some special gift. Whatever human ways to shows their feeling about love, cross-cultural understanding about love is unique and variety to learn.
2 Love meaning around the word
Love has a lot of meaning around the word. How to meaning love deeply is one important thing love is a strong feeling deep inside. Someone who can mean this simple word he/she can see beyond the colorful use. Yet, people from east until west have each meaning of love. Some of them interpret love as impersonal and intrapersonal love in their life. Not only common human that meaning love, but also some scientific from all side in the world are doing the same. Some of them agree that love has a lot of meaning depend on each perspective. The plurality language of love that meaning make it doubly difficult to find the certain definition about love, because of some cultural differences.
2.1.1 Love According to Prominent figure
Virgil’s
Love conquers all
The Beatles
All you need is love
ST. Thomas Aquinas, following Aristotle
Love is to will the good of another
Bertrand Russell
Love is a condition of “absolute value” as opposed to “relative value”
Philosopher Gottfried Leibniz
Love is “to be delighted by the happiness of another”
Psychologist Robert Stenberg
He formulated a triangular theory of love and argued that love has three different components: intimacy, commitment, and passion. Intimacy is a form in which two people share confidences and various details of their personal lives, and is usually shown in friendships and romantic love affairs. Commitment, on the other hand, is the expectation that the relationship is permanent. Passionate love is shown in infatuation as well as romantic love. All forms of love are viewed as varying combinations of these three components.
The prominent figure state may integrate in some living habits but some others may use their own perspective of love in their life. It depent on their love value meaning.
2.1.2 Love feeling in a whole world
Love can be dividing into 2 kinds in a whole world
Impersonal Love
Impersonal love is a love feeling with something that we like so much. Love feeling with environment, dreams is more hard than the eastern. Some western usually do anything to raise their goals and dreams and goals although in extreme ways. The western believe that effort is the primary to goals their dreams. Yet, the eastern more prefer pray as the primary after do effort to goals their dreams.
Intrapersonal Love
Intrapersonal love is a love feeling between human and human around the world. Intrapersonal love can means by two branches. First branch is love in a whole meaning around the world among human. Second branch is intimate love between two people or a couple; it can range as sexuality relationship. The eastern culture is lead human to love each other as siblings, such as in Muslim culture. The Liberality in western life is freer. They can love every people freely; it is usually lead to free life and free sex as their love perspective.
2.1.3. Cultural love views in the world
Persian culture
Love is eshgh, deriving from the Arabic ishg. In the Persian culture, all things encompass by love. Love is the base goal in life.
Chinese and other Sinic cultures
Love is “Ai” (愛)
Two philosophical to meaning love in Chinese traditional are from Confucianism and Mohism. Confucianism priority of love is in actions and obligation. Mohism priority is a universal love. The concept of Confucianism is Ren ("benevolent love", 仁), which focus on obligation, action and attitude in relationship rather than love itself. The performing action of love in Confucianism is variety such as a filial piety from children, kindness from parent, loyalty to the king, etc. The concept of love in Mohism little bit different with Confucianism concept. Mohism priority concept about love should be unconditional and offered to everyone without regard to reciprocation, not just to friend, family and other relations. Mohism is Chinese Buddhism, in Buddhism; “Ai” is being either selfish or selfless. Whatever Confucianism or Mohism concept about love rather different, both of them usually we phrase “Wo ai ni” means responsibility, commitment and loyalty. Yet the Chinese are more likely to express love feeling in a more casual way. In Chinese, it is more polite and less serious. The Chinese are also more likely to say, “I Love You” in English on other foreign languages than they use their own mother language.
Ancient Greek
Ancient Greek has many words of love, each words has each meaning. Love words are philia, eros, agape, and xenia.
1. Agape (ἀγάπη agápē)
Agape means love in modern-day Greek. S’agapo means I Love You. It usually refers to a ‘pure’ of love. It can translate as “Love of the soul”
2. Eros (ἔρως érōs)
Eros is word from the Greek deity. Eros means passionate love, it little bit sensual love and it becomes an appreciation of the beauty of person. Eros or erota (The Greek Word) can be meaning as “of the body”
3. Philia (φιλία philía)
Philia can mean as “Love of the mind”. It includes loyalty to friends, family, community and soon.
4. Storge (στοργή storgē)
Storge is a natural feeling of love, such as parent love for their children.
5. Xenia (ξενία xenía)
Xenia means hospitality (Ancient Greece). It is a friendship form between a host and his guest.
Turkish (Shaman & Islamic)
The word “Love” in Turkish is Aşk. Ask is a feeling for to love or being “In Love” (Aşık). The Turks use this word just for their romantic love or sexual sense. If a Turk says that he is in Love (Aşık) with some body, it indicates a high infatuation of love others words of love in Turkish are Azerbaijani (eşq) and Kazakh (ғашық).
Ancient Roman (Latin)
Amāre is the basic word for to love. The Romans meaning Love tendency refers to romantic or sexual sense. The word amica means “girlfriend” often being applied in a prostitute. Amor, which is used in the plural form to indicate Love affairs or sexual adventures.
2.1.4 Religious cross culture love views
o Judaism
In Hebrew, Ahara is the most commonly used term for both interpersonal love and love of God. It is commanding to Love God ‘’with all your heart, with all your soul and all your might” (Deuteronomy 6:5).
o Christianity
The Christian understanding is that Love comes from God. Christians believe that to Love God with all your heart, mind, strength, and Love your neighbor as yourself are two most important things in life. (Jesus: Of Gospel of Mark chapter 12, Verses 28-34). Saint Augustine says the only one who can love you truly and fully is God, because Love with a human only allows for flaws such as “Jealousy, suspicion, fear, anger, and contention”. Christian sees god as the source of love, and it is reflected in humans and their own loving relationships. The love concept in Christian is influenced by some Greek words, such as Agape (chant able, selfless, altruistic, and unconditional) and Phileo (“brotherly love”)
o Islam and Arab
There is no direct references state that God is Love, but amongst the 99 names of God (Allah) there is the name Al-Wadud means “The Love One”. It refers to God as being “full of loving kindness”. Ishq or divine Love is a projection of the essence of God to Love the Universe.
o Buddhism
In Buddhism, Kāma is sensuous, sexual love. Karuṇā is compassion and mercy, which reduces the suffering of others. It is quite different from ordinary love and refers to welfare. The Bodhisattva ideal in Mahayana Buddhism is meaning love in the complex way to make a path of the Bodhisattva to salvation with unselfish to build sentient beings among people.
o Hinduism
In Hinduism, Kāma is pleasurable, sexual love, personified by the God Kamadeva. In contrast with Kama, kāma, prema – or prem – refers to elevated love, it can help to reduce the suffering of others. Someone who loves devotion to supreme God (bhakti) is bhakti.
3. Symbols and Meaning
Love is a deep feeling that usually presented by certain symbols. In the other words, love is a symbolized feeling. Love can symbolize with items, actions or some offering to the God. The symbols will stimulate positive energy and open opportunities for love to flow around us.
3.1 The Apple for love
“Love is a flower which turns fruit at marriage”, Finnish Proverb.
The Apple is a symbol of ecstasy, fertility and abundance as well as love 3.1.1. The Apple symbols. 3.1.1. The Apple symbols
In early Greek history, the apple is a symbols courtships and marriage and hopes for a fruitful union. Dionysus, the Greek God of wine is offered Apples to Aphrodite and wins her love.
In China the apple is symbols of peace and its blossom for adoration
In Gypsy tradition, if a lady want her true love midnight and other half after
3.2 The Art and Poetry of Love
3.2.1 The Art of Love
1. Taj Mahal
Taj Mahal is one of most famous and amazing building in the world. It is one of the miracles of the world. It represents the beauty of Mughal architecture and it was the history of an Islamic Mughal empire’s rule of large parts of India. The popular view of Taj Mahal as one of the Great world’s monuments is symbolized of love story. It builds by Mughal Emperor Shah Johan, upon the death of his favorite wife. Muntaz Mahal. In this building Shah Johan has appropriated the authority of the in this building Shah Johan has appropriated the authority of the “Throne of god” symbolism for the glorification of his own reign that represent in the “Garden of paradise” in front of Taj Mahal. By the time the Mughals build Taj Mahal, though proud of their Persian and Timurid roots, they had to see themselves as Indian.
2. Love beads
The appreciation of love beads can be looked as a necklace. Love beads are one of the traditional accoutrements of hippies. It consists of one or more long strings of beads, it usually used handmade.
It can use in hand or neck for both of genders. The love bead trend probably evolved from the hippie fascination with non - western cultures, such as India an native America
3. LGTB Love Symbols
In the western, the relationship between homogendre is Legal. In the new period of liberalism in the late 1960’s began a new era of more social acceptance for LGBT people. LGBT is lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) communities. They have a certain symbols to symbolizes and identified they self. They want to demonstrate their own self as LGBT with some symbols such as pink triangle and black triangle. The pink triangles originally use to denote homosexual men in western. The black triangle is use to marking “asocial” and “work-shy” individuals, including prostitutes in Roma. The black triangle is usually we for Lesbian (Women). The transgender symbols is originating draw by Holly Boswell, depicts a circle with an arrow projecting from the top – right, as per the male symbol, a cross projecting from the bottom, as per the female symbol, and with an additional strike around (combining the female cross and male arrow ) projecting from the top – left. In the United Kingdom, the pink is a fashionable jewelry accessory for male homosexuals during the 1950’s through the 1970’s.
4. Mangalsutra
Mangalsutra comes from words mangala and sutra. In the mothers country Mangalsutra called as thali. It is a symbol love of Hindu and Syiria Christian marriage union in India. Mangalsutra symbolize the bond between a husband and a wife. A part of Mangalsutra is toe rings, the Kumkum bangles, and nose ring from the five symbols that indicate the women is married. Hindus Indian believes that Mangalsutra protects the marriage from any evil.
It as a symbol of her obedience to the husband, to parents and it represent her respect for God. The groom’s family according to prevalent customs chooses the design of Mangalsutra. A married woman is expected to wear the Mangalsutra until her husband’s death.
5 Card
Buster Brown Valentine postcard by Richard Felton Outcault, early years of 20th century
Advertisement for Prang's greeting cards, 1883
Postcard by Nister, circa 1906
Valentine postcard, circa 1900–1910
A tiny 2-inch pop-up Valentine, circa 1920
Football-playing Disney-like rat and bulldog are set in motion by the pull-tab on the right, circa 1920
A grommet affixed to the center of the card permits the dog's eyes to glance side-to-side when the blue bow is moved
Rocking horse and rider, circa 1920-1930
Sending a card to shows love feeling is a traditional ways to deliver love in UK. In Denmark and Norway, the man my invite the woman to dinner and send a card to a secret love or give a red rose to their loved one. In Brazil, they send a card for her/his couple in the “Day of The Enamored” or “Boyfriends/Girlfriends Day”.
3.2.2. The Poetry of Love
All part around the world may use some poetry to presents their feeling about love from the eastern until the western poetry using in all period, science before Christ’s period until modern era, now days, such as
1. Hamlet (1600 – 16001), William Shakespeare
2. Epithalamion upon Frederick count Palatine and the Lady Elizabeth married on St. Valentine’s Day, John Donne.
3. La Vandeana by Contea and Seitimo Sigillo
3.3. Cupid or Eros
Cupid or Eros is a kind of angels in the ancient Greece Mithodology. Cupid or Eros means desire or willing in Greek, it is represented as a naked, chubby boy with wings and have a naughty smile. He carries a bow with a quiver of arrows to strike love into our hearts. In ancient Greece, Cupid or Eros was the son of Aphrodite, The goddess of love and beauty, and Ares. Ares is the goddess of the primal force of desire.
3.4. Dove as Love Symbols
The white dove usually represent of love, peace and as messengers. Dove appears in the zymology of Judaism and Christianity means love and peace. In Christian Iconography, a dove symbolizes of Holy Spirit and it appeared at the Baptism of Jesus. Dove sometimes released at Christian readings.
3.5. Heart Symbols
Heart symbols are representing of love, spiritual, emotional, moral, and intellectual also. The heart shape according to classical philosophers and scientists considered that heart is the seat of thought, reason of emotion. The Stoics thought that the heart was the seat of soul. Therefore, the heart is a symbol of human whole synergy between soul and body that covered all of the feeling, thought, and emotion. The heart shape usually colored red as same as blood. In European, the heart symbol could also to depict features of the human female body, such as the female’s buttocks, public mound (breast), or spread vulva.
3.6. Koi fish
Koi fish or cyprinus carpio, in Japan it called nishikigoi(錦鯉)or Japanese carp. Koi (鯉?, pronounced [koꜜi]) (English: /ˈkɔɪ/), or more specifically nishikigoi (錦鯉?, [niɕi̥kiꜜɡo.i], literally "brocaded carp"). Koi is developing from China, and then the Jin Dynasty later transferred to Japan and Korea. It is a symbol of love, friendship, and lucky. It usually use for decorative purpose in an outdoor koi pond or water garden.
3.7. Paan
Paan is a symbol of love in some of Asian. Paan comes from the words pān in Hindi: पान, is an Indian and south East Asian tradition of chewing betel leaf (piper betel) with areca and slaked lime paste. In many Asian and Oceanic countries, including Myanmar, Cambodia, the Solomon Island, Thailand, Philippines, Laos, and Vietnam is not know how and when the areca nut and the betel leaf were married together as one drug. Thailand, Indonesia and Philippines suggest that have been use in tandem for four thousand years or more. It is known as Beeda in Hindi and Tamil, Kill or Tambulam in Telugu and Sireh in Malay language. In Vietnam, the areca nut and the betel leaf are the important symbols of love and marriage that in Vietnamese the phrase “matters of betel and areca” (chuy en trau cau) is synonymous with marriage. The areca nut chewing is starting the talk between the groom’s parents and the bridge’s parents about the young couple’s marriage. Therefore, the leaves and juices are use ceremonially in Vietnamese weddings.
3.8. Butterfly
Butterfly is one of the beautiful animals. It is usually seen as the personification of a person soul. One Japanese superstition says that if a butterfly enters your guestroom and perches behind the bamboo screen, the person whom you most love is coming to see you. Butterfly is representing of love because of the beauty its self. In Chinese culture, two butterflies flying together are a symbol of love. It rather different with Philippines views about butterfly, in the Philippines, a lingering black butterfly or moth in the house is taking to mean that someone in the family has died or will soon die.
3.9. Swan
The symbol of swan firstly appears in the Greek mythodology, swan is representing of Leda and The Swan story. In some western country, usually use the figure of swan as a gift for special person or for deliver love to their couple.
3.10. Love celebration
3.10.1. Valentine’s Day
All around the world known, that Valentine’s Day is s symbol of love that appreciates as a celebration hold in February 14 every year. It commonly called as Saint Valentine’s Day, because this celebration is to honoring the Saint Valentine. Valentine’s Day is to celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. People express they love feeling by presenting flowers, offering confectionery and sending greeting card. Modern Valentine’s Day symbols include the heart-shape outline, doves and the figure of the winged cupid. February 14 become a national holiday in United State because in the early 1800s that there were assembled people of the factories to hold Valentine’s Day. In the first celebration about 18-19th century, greeting card is the most commonly find to hold Valentine’s Day in United State, usually from a man to e women. In the second half of twentieth century, the ritual greeting card is change to give some gift such, as roses and chocolates in are satin, heart-shape box.
• Valentine’s day in Denmark and Norway
In Denmark and Norway, this celebration is calling Valerntinsdag. It not celebrated in largely but many people take time to eat a romantic dinner with their partner in the February 14.
• Valentine’s Day in Finland
Valentine’s Day in Finland commonly called Ystavanpaiva, which translates into “friend’s day”. It has the same meaning with Estonia. This celebration is more about remembering all your friends, not only about loved ones.
• Valentine’s Day in Romania
In Romania is little bit different celebration with others countries. Romanian hold the traditional holiday for lover is Dragobete it celebrates on February 24. The root word of Dragobate is Drag “dear” which also found in the word Dragoste means love.
• Valentine’s Day in Turkey
Valentine’s Day in Turkey is calling Sevgililer Gunu, which translates into “sweat heart day”. It holds in the 15th day of the month of Av-Tu B’Av (usually late August) is the festival of love. In ancient time, girls would wear white dresses and dance in the vineyard, where the boy would be waiting for them. In modern Israeli culture, this day is a popular day to pronounce love, purpose marriage and give gift like card or flowers.
• Valentine’s Day in Mexico, Central and South America
In some Southamerican countries is known as “Dia del Amor y La Amistad” (day of love and friendship). It usually appreciates by some acts appreciation for their friends. In Brazil, it usually holds on June 24, when couples exchange gift, chocolates, cards and flower. In Venezuela, people represent their love feeling with a little kiss or something very superficial.
• Valentine’s Day in Asia
In south Korea
In this celebration, women give chocolate to men on February 14, and men give non-chocolate candy to women in March 14 (white day). On April 14 (black day), those who did not receive anything on the 14 February or March go to a Chinese restaurant to eat black noodle and “mourn” their single life. The 14th of every month marks a love related day in Korea, although most of them are obscure. From January to December : Candle Day, Valentine’s Day, White Day, Black Day, Rose Day, Kiss Day, Silver Day, Green day, Music Day, Whine Day, Movie day, and Hug Day.
In China
In China, it called Qing Ren Jie, the men give chocolate and flower to the women that he loves. In Taiwan (In Republic of China), it has a similarity with Valentine’s Day in South Korea. Men gives to women in Valentine’s Day and women return them in the White Day.
In south Philippines
It called “Araw ng mga Puso” or “Hearts Day”. It is mark by a steep increase in the price of flowers.
In south Japan
Japanese celebrate Valentine’s Day in the different way with western countries celebration. The office women give chocolate to their co-workers. Unlike western countries, gift such as greeting cards, candies, flowers or dinner dates, Japan usually giving the right amount of chocolate to each persons. The women in Japan feel obliged to give chocolate to all male co-worker in February 14, except the day is Sunday or holyday. It called Cho-giri Choko. It different with Honmei-Choko that means favorite chocolate, it is given to a love one. Tomo-Choko means friends are exchange chocolate among friends, especially for girls. 1-month letter after Valentine’s Day held, the men are expected to return the chocolate on March 14. It called White Day, because the men are exchange the chocolate with marshmallow that color is white. White is also to present purity, evoking “pure, sweet teen love”, and because it is the color of sugar. The other version to celebrate Valentine’s Day is Tanabata, the way to celebrate is similar with the western way.
In Middle East
In Iran, they hold Sependarmazgan on February 17. It is an age-old traditional celebration of love, friendship and earth. It little bit different with the western culture of Valentine’s Day because it is not only represent of love but also represent for friendship and earth.
1.3.1. Spendarmazgan
Spendarmazgann (in Persia) is the celebration day of love and earth in Ancient Iranian culture. This day dedicate to Spenta Armaiti. It is celebrate in 29th of Brahmana in Iranian calendar. In Irian tradition, they believe that Earth is the symbol of love and modesty. The Earth is a symbol of empathy and not egoistic. Earth is not like human. Earth embraces all creatures the same and love them same. Earth is like a mother who loves all children, even when they are ugly. In Ancient Persian culture, mother is symbolizing by spendermaz or earth. The original date for this ceremony was fifth of Esfand (originally Spand or Espand), which is corresponds to 24 February in the Gregorian calendar, or 29th Bahman and in modern era it hold on 18 February every year.
IV. CONCLUSION
Love sometimes referred to as being the “International Language”, overriding cultural and linguistic divisions. Love is a strong unique feeling inside. The unique way to deliver love is depend on the culture and the point of views. The differences ways to show love each other is the variety in the whole of the world. The western culture usually shows their love feeling more openly and bravely with some love symbols. Some of western applicants love in more sensual action than in the eastern, because some western countries are liberalism that accepts freedom in life. Love symbols that from nature such as animals and fruits usually represent as the imitation or just the figure. The western give the gift for a couple commonly in the unreal things. Such as the figure of swan, apple doll, the figure of cupid, etc. The men in the western usually give the gift firstly and the women may exchange it or not. It is very common in western culture. It little bit different in the eastern culture. The eastern culture teaches the value of shy and respects each other’s. The eastern prefers to choose the other language not their mother language to present love feeling. It little bit polite and less nervous. The meaning of love in eastern is more large area of love, not only love for a couple, but also love for a friend, love for family, love for children, etc. The love symbol that usually use in eastern is the real thing not the figure or imitation, such as the real butterfly, fish Koi, etc. Some gift that usually gives to shows love feeling in eastern is chocolate. In eastern, people try to respect each other with exchange the gift in the other day after he or she accept the gift. The women commonly give the gift first than the men will exchange to respect and honoring her.
V. REFERENCES
1.http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=id&langpair=en|id&u=http://www.squidoo.com/love_symbols&rurl=translate.google.co.id&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhhsPvUFsjda4POBC7TEtjQP3sIoYQ
2. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
3. "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doves_as_symbols"
4. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origins_and_architecture_of_the_Taj_Mahal
“White Vulcano”
