美国五大文化象征

Analysis of Five Famous Symbols of

American Culture

浅析美国文化的五大象征

Abstract: American culture is unique, Statue of Liberty, American Gothic, Buffalo Nickel, Uncle Sam and Barbie dolls are five famous symbols of it. Statue of Liberty represents democracy and freedom of American culture. American Gothic represents the pursuit of diligence of American culture. Buffalo Nickel represents the pursuit of pioneering spirit of American culture. Uncle Sam represents the pursuit of patriotism of American culture. Barbie dolls represent the pursuit of women's liberation of American culture. Analysis of five famous symbols of American culture is important for us to know American culture comprehensively.

Key words: Culture Symbol,Cultural Connotation, American Culture

摘要：美国文化独具特色，具体的表现在其五大文化象征上，即自由女神像、美国哥特式、野牛镍币、山姆大叔以及芭比娃娃，五大文化象征分别从对民主自由的追求，对勤劳耕作、勇于开拓精神的嘉奖，对诚实爱国等美好品质的肯定，以及女性的独立几个方面多角度地诠释了美国文化，研究每个文化象征所体现的象征意义有助于更全面地认识美国文化。

关键词：文化象征文化内涵美国文化

Introduction

World-famous "Statue of Liberty", American style "American Gothic," "Buffalo Nickels," the kind and lovely "Uncle Sam" and the popular in the world "Barbie Dolls" composed of five major cultural symbol of American culture. They represent American culture from different aspects and angles and enrich the connotation of American culture. By analysis of five famous symbols of American culture, we can know the American culture more comprehensively.

I.Statue of Liberty——the symbol of America

Statue of Liberty is also called”Liberty Enlightening the World”, dedicated on an island in Upper New York Bay (now is called Liberty Island).

Statue of Liberty is a gift given to the United States by France in honored of 100 anniversary of American independence in 1876. It was designed by French artist Frederic Auguste Bartholdi. It is said that he had used his wife's arm as the model, but felt her face was too beautiful for the statue. He needed someone whose face represented suffering yet strength, someone more severe than beautiful. He chose his mother. Statue of

Liberty wears ancient Greek costumes and wears shining crown that has seven spikes symbolizing seven seas and four continents.

Statue of Liberty's right hand hold a torch, the torch up to 12 meters. The left hand holds "The Declaration of Independence". Under her feet were broken handcuffs, leg irons and chained. Statue of Liberty symbolizes freedom, break the constraints of tyranny.Statue of Liberty is the symbol of America, represents freedom and lions of Americans and people who want to become Americans regarded it as a halidom，inspire themselves to achieve democracy and pursuit freedom. So the Statue of Liberty symbolizes the pursuit of the spirit of democracy and freedom in American culture.

II.American Gothic and Buffalo Nickels——the pioneering spirit of the United States.

2.1American Gothic

"American Gothic" is a painting that was designed by Grant Wood in 1930.Wood saw a gothic-style house in a small town in the south, which has made a very deep impression on him. So he imagined a farmer and his daughter standing in front of the house, then took photos of the house and took it back to his studio. He asked his 62-year-old dentist and his 30-year-old sister as models to put on the clothes of Victorian era in 19th