Sun Yat-sen: a life beyond symbols. A semiotic approach to modernity

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Abstract

Sun Yat‐sen is the quintessential Chinese historical figure embodying mo‐ dernity: a revolutionary representative of Chinese national identity still revered on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. This essay takes an interdisciplinary approach to Sun’s emblems of modernity, drawing upon semiotics and the study of material culture. The symbols examined are: Sun’s photographic portrait as Provisional President of the Re‐ public of China; his photographic portrait as Director General of the National Railways; the suit which he created and which was given his name; and his mausoleum in Nanjing, which have all been deployed to perpetuate Sun Yat‐sen’s memory and appropriate it in support of later political agendas.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationThe historian’s gaze: essays on modern and contemporary China in honour of Guido Samarani
EditorsLaura De Giorgi, Sofia Graziani
Place of PublicationVenice
PublisherEdizioni Ca' Foscari
Pages77-96
Number of pages20
ISBN (Electronic)9788869697234
ISBN (Print)9788869697241
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 11 Oct 2023

Publication series

NameSinica Venetiana
Volume10
ISSN (Print)2610‑9654
ISSN (Electronic)2610‑9042

Keywords

  • China
  • Sun Yatsen
  • modernity
  • semiotics
  • Chinese identity
  • Politics
  • mausoleum

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • History

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