The Construction Standards and Practical Pathways of the Chinese Civilization Symbol System

The Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC explicitly proposed “building a Chinese civilization symbol system.” The Chinese civilization symbol system is an organic whole with internal logical connections and hierarchical relationships. The key to constructing and establishing the Chinese civilization symbol system lies in setting scientific and clear standard orientations. Only by clarifying core standards and solidifying the practical foundation can the Chinese civilization symbol system truly become a distinct banner that unites the national spirit and manifests cultural charm.

党的二十届四中全会明确提出“构建中华文明标识体系”。中华文明标识体系是具有内在逻辑联系和层级关系的有机整体。构建和树立中华文明标识体系，关键在于确立科学清晰的标准导向。只有明确核心标准、筑牢实践根基，才能让中华文明标识体系真正成为凝聚民族精神、彰显文化魅力的鲜明旗帜。

Authority and Leadership

权威性与统领性

The authority of Chinese civilization symbols stems from their precise grasp and high-level summary of the civilizational roots, embodied in their central position and leadership function within the cultural system. This authority is an organic unity of historical accumulation, cultural consensus, and value guidance. From the dimension of civilizational origins, it also carries the significance of “source” and “gene.” For example, the gnomon [1]1 A gnomon is an astronomical instrument used to measure the length and direction of shadows cast by the sun, often employed to determine the solstices and the cardinal directions. unearthed at the Taosi site in Xiangfen, Shanxi, is the earliest physical gnomon instrument discovered by archaeology to date. It not only demonstrates the early exploration of cosmic laws by ancient ancestors but also contains the origin of the concept of “center of the earth,” serving as the cultural foundation for political ideologies and social psychology such as the “middle way” and “orthodoxy.” This kind of source symbol, like the “cultural code” of a civilization, exerts a profound influence on the development of Chinese civilization.

中华文明标识的权威性，源于其对文明根脉的精准把握和高度概括，体现为在文化体系中的中心地位与统领功能。这种权威性是历史积淀、文化共识与价值引领的有机统一,从文明起源维度看，更是承载着“源头”“基因”的意义。例如，山西襄汾陶寺遗址出土的圭表，是目前考古发现最早的圭表仪器实物，不仅展现了先民对宇宙规律的早期探索，更蕴含着“地中”观念的源头，是“中道”“正统”等政治意识形态与社会心理的文化根基。这种源头性标识如同文明的“文化密码”，对中华文明发展产生深远影响。

The leadership of symbols is reflected in their ability to transcend time and space, integrate diverse cultural elements, and form a centripetal force for cultural identity. For example, the turquoise dragon-shaped artifact unearthed at the Erlitou site in Yanshi, Henan, is composed of over 2,000 small turquoise inlays fitted seamlessly together. Its form closely matches the image of the Chinese dragon in later generations and is widely recognized by the academic community as one of the roots of the Chinese nation’s dragon totem. This symbol carries the cultural connotations of “unity of heaven and humanity” and “auspiciousness and well-being.” It is not only a model of plastic arts but has also become a spiritual symbol that unites national sentiment.

标识的统领性则体现为其能够跨越时空、整合多元文化元素，形成文化认同的向心力。例如，河南偃师二里头遗址出土的绿松石龙形器，由2000多片细小绿松石嵌片严丝合缝组成，造型与后世中国龙形象高度契合，被学界公认为中华民族龙图腾的根源之一。这一标识承载着“天人合一”“吉祥安康”的文化内涵，不仅是造型艺术的典范，更成为凝聚民族情感的精神符号。

The unity of authority and leadership is also reflected in the concise expression of core values by symbols. For instance, the inscription on the bottom of the Western Zhou bronze vessel He Zun [2]2 He Zun is a ritual bronze vessel from the early Western Zhou period (11th century BCE), discovered in 1963 in Baoji, Shaanxi Province. records for the first time the phrase “Zhai Zi Zhongguo” [3]3 “Zhai Zi Zhongguo” (宅兹中国) literally means “dwelling in the central state” or “residing in the middle of the country,” and is the earliest known written occurrence of the term “Zhongguo” (China).. This is the earliest written record of the term “Zhongguo” (China) discovered to date. The expression “Zhai Zi Zhongguo” not only establishes the geographical “center of the world” but also elevates it to a cultural identity of civilization.

权威性与统领性的统一，还体现在标识对核心价值的凝练表达上。如西周青铜器何尊底部的铭文首次出现“宅兹中国”的记载，这是迄今为止“中国”一词最早的文字记录。“宅兹中国”的表述既确立了地理意义上的“天下中心”，也升华出文化意义上的文明认同。

Irreplaceability and Public Recognizability

不可替代性与公共识别性

The irreplaceability of Chinese civilization symbols lies in their unique cultural connotations and spiritual characteristics, which are “spiritual symbols” that cannot be replicated or replaced by other cultural symbols. Public recognizability requires that symbols can transcend class, region, and age, becoming cultural symbols universally recognized and commonly identified with by all the people. These two standards complement each other: irreplaceability is the foundation of public recognizability, and public recognizability is the manifestation of irreplaceability. Together, they constitute the core elements of the “distinctiveness” of Chinese civilization symbols.

中华文明标识的不可替代性，在于其独特的文化内涵与精神特质，是其他文化符号无法复制或替代的“精神标识”；公共识别性则要求标识能够跨越阶层、地域与年龄，成为全体人民普遍认知、共同认同的文化符号。这两项标准相辅相成，不可替代性是公共识别性的基础，公共识别性是不可替代性的体现，共同构成了中华文明标识“辨识度”的核心要素。

Irreplaceability originates from the unique historical accumulation and cultural genes of Chinese civilization, embodied in the unique value concepts and cultural codes behind the symbols. For example, the brocade arm guard inscribed with “Five Stars Rise in the East to Benefit China” [4]4 This is a Han Dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE) brocade arm guard bearing the inscription “五星出东方利中国,” discovered in 1995 at the Niya site in Xinjiang. It is considered a national treasure. integrates astronomical observation with human aspirations. It not only showcases the advanced textile technology of the Han Dynasty but also contains the political ideals and cultural pursuits of “great unity” and “national peace and prosperity.” This cultural expression, combining astronomy, auspicious meanings, and national identity, is a unique spiritual creation of Chinese civilization that cannot be simply replicated by other cultural systems.

不可替代性源于中华文明独有的历史积淀与文化基因，体现为标识背后独特的价值理念与文化密码。例如，“五星出东方利中国”织锦护臂，将自然观测与人文祈愿融为一体，既展现了汉代先进的纺织工艺，更蕴含“大一统”“国泰民安”的政治理想与文化追求。这种将天文历法、吉祥寓意与国家认同相结合的文化表达，是中华文明独有的精神创造，无法被其他文化体系简单复刻。

Public recognizability requires that Chinese civilization symbols can enter the daily lives of the people, becoming cultural symbols shared by the entire nation. This recognizability is not merely a single visual cognition but a comprehensive cognition encompassing emotional identification and value resonance. The reason the dragon totem can become one of the core symbols of Chinese civilization is its strong public recognizability. From ancient court rituals to folk festival customs, from architectural decorations to clothing patterns, the image of the dragon is ubiquitous. Through the transformation from concrete artifacts to abstract values, it has deeply integrated into the daily life and spiritual world of the Chinese nation, making it a public cultural symbol that transcends regions and social strata.

公共识别性要求中华文明标识能够走进大众生活，成为全民共享的文化符号。这种识别性不是单一的视觉认知，而是包含情感认同、价值共鸣的全方位认知。龙图腾之所以能够成为中华文明的核心标识之一，是因为其具有极强的公共识别性。从古代的宫廷礼仪到民间的节庆习俗，从建筑装饰到服饰纹样，龙形象无处不在，并通过从具体器物到抽象价值的转化，深深融入中华民族的日常生活与精神世界，使其成为跨越地域、阶层的公共文化符号。

Universal Acceptance and Ease of Understanding

普遍认可性与易于理解性

The universal acceptance of Chinese civilization symbols is reflected in the broad consensus formed within the national community. It is a cultural choice that has been tested by history and accepted and identified with by all the people. Ease of understanding requires that symbols can break through cognitive barriers, conveying profound cultural connotations in a concise and clear form, allowing different groups to perceive their value and grasp their meaning. These two standards directly relate to the dissemination power and influence of the symbols.

中华文明标识的普遍认可性，体现为在民族共同体内部形成的广泛共识，是经过历史检验、为全体人民所接受和认同的文化选择；易于理解性则要求标识能够突破认知壁垒，以简洁明了的形式传递深刻文化内涵，让不同群体都能感知其价值、领会其意义。这两项标准直接关系标识的传播力与影响力。

Universal acceptance means that a symbol can become a representative of civilization not only because it reflects the common pursuits and spiritual aspirations of the entire nation but also because it responds to the spirit of the times. Concepts such as “unity of heaven and humanity,” “unity of knowledge and action,” and “harmony in diversity” from fine traditional Chinese culture have gained widespread recognition because they are rooted in the deep soil of Chinese civilization and also respond to the practical needs of contemporary China and world development. For example, through creative transformation and innovative development, the concept of “harmony in diversity” has become an important principle for handling relations between countries and promoting exchanges and mutual learning among civilizations, widely accepted by the international community.

普遍认可性意味着，一个标识能够成为文明的代表，既在于其能够反映全民族共同追求与精神向往，也体现着对时代精神的呼应。中华优秀传统文化中的“天人合一”“知行合一”“和而不同”等理念，之所以获得广泛认同，既因其植根于中华文明的深厚土壤，也因其回应了当代中国与世界发展的现实需求。例如，经过创造性转化与创新性发展，“和而不同”理念成为处理国家间关系、促进文明交流互鉴的重要原则，为国际社会广泛接受。

Ease of understanding requires that Chinese civilization symbols, while maintaining cultural depth, possess a concise and intuitive form of expression. Civilization symbols are a “re-encoding” of complex cultural connotations, needing to transform abstract value concepts into concrete and perceptible symbols, images, or concepts, so that people of different knowledge backgrounds and age groups can easily understand and deeply grasp them. For example, the turquoise dragon-shaped artifact from the Erlitou site, with its vivid form and exquisite craftsmanship, fully displays the majesty and agility of the dragon totem. Without the need for complex textual explanations, it allows people to intuitively feel the sacred significance and cultural charm it carries.

易于理解性要求中华文明标识在保持文化深度的同时，具备简洁直观的表达形式。文明标识是对复杂文化内涵的“再编码”，需要将抽象的价值理念转化为具体可感的符号、形象或概念，让不同知识背景、不同年龄阶段的人都能轻松理解、深刻领会。例如，二里头遗址的绿松石龙形器，以生动的造型、精湛的工艺，将龙图腾的威严与灵动展现得淋漓尽致，无需复杂的文字解释，便能让人直观感受到其承载的神圣意义与文化魅力。

Practical Pathways for Building the Chinese Civilization Symbol System

构建中华文明标识体系的实践路径

Building the Chinese civilization symbol system not only requires clarifying core standards but also transforming standard orientations into concrete practical actions. Specifically, building the Chinese civilization symbol system requires efforts from multiple dimensions, including excavation, interpretation, dissemination, and innovation.

构建中华文明标识体系，不仅需要明确核心标准，也需要将标准导向转化为具体实践行动。具体而言，构建中华文明标识体系需要从挖掘、阐释、传播、创新等多个维度发力。

At the level of excavation and sorting, support from archaeological evidence should be used to deeply explore the roots of civilization. Archaeological artifacts are important carriers of Chinese civilization symbols. Looking to the future, major projects such as the Project to Trace the Origins of Chinese Civilization [5]5 The Project to Trace the Origins of Chinese Civilization (中华文明探源工程) is a major multi-disciplinary research initiative launched by the Chinese government to study the origins and early development of Chinese civilization. should be continuously advanced, strengthening archaeological excavation and research on important cultural sites and artifacts. At the same time, attention should be paid to sorting and protecting intangible cultural heritage, incorporating core cultural symbols from traditional crafts and folk rituals into the symbol system, ensuring that the symbol system can comprehensively reflect the rich connotations of Chinese civilization.

在挖掘梳理层面，以考古实证为支撑，深入探寻文明根脉。考古文物是中华文明标识的重要载体。面向未来，应持续推进中华文明探源工程等重大工程，加强对重要文化遗址、文物的考古发掘与研究。同时，注重对非物质文化遗产的梳理与保护，将传统技艺、民俗礼仪中的核心文化符号纳入标识体系，确保标识体系能够全面反映中华文明丰富内涵。

At the level of interpretation and transformation, adhere to making the past serve the present and weeding through the old to bring forth the new, endowing symbols with contemporary value. In light of the development needs of the New Era, carry out creative transformation and innovative development of the core connotations of Chinese civilization symbols, allowing ancient symbols to radiate new vitality of the times. Through precise interpretation and value transformation, ensure that Chinese civilization symbols retain their historical essence while possessing contemporary significance, becoming spiritual banners that guide social trends and unite development forces.

在阐释转化层面，坚持古为今用、推陈出新，赋予标识当代价值。结合新时代的发展需求，对中华文明标识的核心内涵进行创造性转化与创新性发展，让古老标识焕发出新的时代活力。通过精准阐释与价值转化，让中华文明标识既保持历史本色，又具备当代意义，成为引领社会风尚、凝聚发展力量的精神旗帜。

At the level of dissemination and popularization, innovate dissemination methods to enhance the public recognition of symbols. Make full use of public cultural venues such as museums, cultural centers, and libraries, through special exhibitions, lectures, and forums, to allow the public to experience the charm of Chinese civilization symbols up close. At the same time, leverage new media technologies to build digital dissemination platforms, using popular forms such as short videos, documentaries, and interactive games to vividly interpret the historical connotations and cultural value of the symbols.

在传播普及层面，创新传播方式，提升标识的公共认知度。充分利用博物馆、文化馆、图书馆等公共文化场所，通过专题展览、讲座论坛等形式，让公众近距离感受中华文明标识的魅力。同时，借助新媒体技术，打造数字化传播平台，通过短视频、纪录片、互动游戏等大众喜闻乐见的形式，生动解读标识的历史内涵与文化价值。

At the level of innovation and development, base efforts on the needs of the times to enrich the forms of expression of symbols. Combine modern design concepts and dissemination laws to artistically innovate traditional symbols, creating new symbols that both conform to cultural essence and align with contemporary aesthetics. At the same time, encourage cultural creation, using literary, film, television, music, and other artistic forms to vividly display the spiritual connotations of Chinese civilization symbols, giving them new vitality in contemporary cultural creation.

在创新发展层面，立足时代需求，丰富标识的表达形式。结合现代设计理念与传播规律，对传统标识进行艺术化创新，打造既符合文化本色又贴近当代审美的新标识。同时，要鼓励文化创作，通过文学、影视、音乐等艺术形式，生动展现中华文明标识的精神内涵，让其在当代文化创作中获得新的生命力。

(Author: Xu Muxi, Specially Appointed Researcher at the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and Associate Researcher at the Institute of Marxism)

（作者：徐沐熙，系中国社会科学院习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心特约研究员、马克思主义研究院副研究员）