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Explanation of Chinese characters: Gothic

It is a good habit for literary workers to frequently check the dictionary. The Oxford English Dictionary gives the following two explanations: 1. One Rock music style, a fierce mixture of guitar, bass and drums, and apocalyptic or mystical lyrics; 2. Performers or followers of this music often wear black clothing and black makeup. But just as a master wouldn't go to a department store to buy an electric guitar, we can't entirely trust rock-industry outsiders like Oxford Dictionaries.

The word "Gothic" has a long history, being used during the Renaissance to refer to medieval art forms. It was named after the German "Goth" tribe, who invaded Italy and overthrew the Roman Empire. In the 15th century, people generally had the concept of Renaissance and hoped to return to the classical era. The period between the Classical Age and the Renaissance is called the Middle Ages. Because Italy hated the Goths for destroying their Roman Empire, Renaissance people always had a negative term for the Middle Ages. They called this period "Gothic" which means barbarism and rudeness. Of course we have to see both sides of things. The Middle Ages left many precious cultural heritage and outstanding works of art to the world. There were breakthrough improvements in architectural technology during this period, resulting in Gothic cathedrals like NOTRE-PAME. Gothic art is not only reflected in architecture. From the 12th to the early 16th century, sculptures, glass products, decorations, etc. were all labeled with Gothic art. Religion plays a very important factor in Gothic artwork. Painters and sculptors used religious feelings more than realistic methods to express their themes. In any case, people during the Renaissance clearly implicitly rejected the word "Gothic".

During the Romantic Movement (ROMANTIC MOVEMENT) around 1800, medieval culture gradually became extremely relevant and became a fashion in the eyes of some people. Romanticism became the center of this cultural movement. Romantics wanted to go beyond the limitations of history, some wanted to return to the medieval era, some sought ideals from religious or mystical attention, and others tried to get answers from nature. They use their own different ways to achieve their goals. Throughout the Romantic movement, Goth began to be considered to be associated with darkness, strangeness, ghosts, etc. Romantic and Gothic writers such as Byron, Shelley, Baudelaire and Verlaine were obsessed with the expression of the dark side of human beings. Gothic emotions are also clearly reflected in visual art, with painters like Caspar David Friedrich showing darkness and desolation. In architecture, neo-Gothic style gradually became fashionable. During this period, many Gothic novelists continued to emerge. Gothic literature not only showed the dark side of human beings, but also challenged the orthodox thinking mode of society at that time. It was a mixture of horror and mystery. The more typical characters in Gothic novels are vampires, such as Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, Brian Stoker's Dracula, and the descriptions in Edgar Allan's poetry collections. Stoker's descriptions of vampire incarnations are the same as in the past. The comparison has entered into an opposing perspective. (Contemporary writers Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire and Poppy Z. Brite's Lost Souls and other works are also continuations of Stoker's style.)

But it is used to describe music and The culture was still in the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the punk movement ended and post-punk emerged. In any case, the Gothic spirit began to show its influence in music. Gothic music expresses the gloom and emptiness of human nature as its themes, and it also has a strong interest in death. Slowness, sadness and even terror are the characteristics of its music.

First, Ian Astbury used the word "gothic pixie" when describing the band Sex Gang Children; later, Siouxsie Sioux (the core of Siouxsie and the Banshees) used the word "gothic pixie" when describing the new direction of her band. gothic"; later, Joy Division's manager used the word "gothic" on a BBC TV program in 1978 when comparing the band to mainstream pop bands.

Bela Lugosi's Dead, released by Bauhaus in 1979, was the first work to be labeled "Gothic", at least as everyone agrees.

Gothic music, as a follow-up to punk (death rock), has since developed into an underground culture from a set of aesthetics and ideas consisting of visual art, literature, music and clothing, etc. Countless underground communities have been derived. Although these communities have developed greatly in various aspects, there are two things that all Goths have in common: the color of clothing and music.

It is generally believed that the Gothic movement began in 1979. That year Bauhaus released the single "Bela Lugosi's dead". This song has a special magic for the listener. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, the first Goths broke away from punk in the UK and started their own cultural movement. At this time, punk was dying. Artists like The Damned, Bauhaus, Siouxsie and the Banshees led the early Gothic movement. No one knows who first called dark music "goth".

Most people believe that it was the British media that first labeled this music.

In the early 1980s, under the leadership of the Sisters of Mercy, the Gothic movement reached its peak

. But by the mid-to-late 1980s, Goth culture began to decline.

In the early 1990s, the emergence of the second generation of Goths injected

fresh blood into this subculture. Representative bands include The Shroud, Rosetta Stone, and London

after midnight. They were also the first to label themselves as "Goths". At this time Goth

culture was rapidly growing in the United States and was defined as a subcultural phenomenon. After that, Gothic music and culture continued to develop and spawned many branches. The definition of Gothic culture

has also been further expanded.

Gothic culture has developed to the late 1990s, and we can clearly see the rise of the third generation.

When the second generation of Goths are almost thirty years old and no longer interested in the Goth movement, new forces must take their place. In the third generation of the Goth movement

more people call themselves "Goth" than ever before. Thanks to the huge communication function of modern commercial society, many young people have been influenced by Gothic culture since childhood. With the huge commercial success of Marilyn Manson's so-called "visual rock", people have turned their attention to the cultural phenomenon of Goth again.

Many old goths try their best to prove to the world that Marilyn Manson is just playing heavy metal.

At best, he is the Alice Cooper of the 1990s. All he did was use his extremely exaggerated dressing up and cunning marketing hype to provoke conservative forces and attract rebellious teenagers. And his ultimate goal is just to make money.

Those

young followers of Marilyn Manson are not real goths, but more

called "spooky kids" (neurotic children)

The first two generations of Goths viewed the new generation of Goths with suspicion. Old goths don't like the new generation's enthusiasm for self-promotion. Gothic culture is essentially low-key and restrained. Even so, it is still difficult for people to predict what the future of Goth will be.

But what is certain is that 20 years later, Goth culture will continue to grow and evolve and become the most enduring youth culture.

The definition and characteristics of Goth

1969: Hippies discovered that something was wrong with the world, and they vowed to use "love and peace" to change it

everything.

1979: The punks realized that the world was still a mess, and they raised their middle fingers in disdain.

1981: Goths learned that all they could do was light up a cigarette and endure it slowly and painfully.

Goth culture was once subordinate to punk culture. From the early 1980s to the mid-1980s, Goth developed its own cultural movement in the form of visual art, literature, music and fashion. The desperate and contradictory characteristics of Gothic culture have aroused surprise, anger and confusion in mainstream society. In the end, all that is left of the Goths

is their unique clothing and music.

What is Goth?

Goths are obsessed with the darker side of human nature. Look around us, most people's lives are neither happy nor fulfilling. This is a very sad thing. Goths turn depression and depression into a way of life and then into an art. As an extension of punk culture, Goth is not too exclusive of mainstream culture. It just loses interest and confidence in mainstream values. Unlike other subcultures, Goths have never severed their economic ties with mainstream society. Most Goths study or work. Their thinking boils down to "you have a body, but no soul."

Goth culture has no slogans or manifestos. They believe there is beauty in all

sad and dark things. If you have such faith

you can accept the world naturally. You don't have to deceive yourself,

you can live a good life.

Goths are very emotional people. They love hugs and contact.

They like each other and act friendly. They tolerate all religions and

political orientations. They are absolutely against violence. They don't really care.

Gothic fashion:

Black or any dark colored clothes.

Do not expose skin (can be covered with nylon).

Silver jewelry.

Paint your face pale white. Goths want an image that is somewhere between life and death.

Dye your hair black, red or purple; style it in a tousled or afro style.

Dark eye circles, eyelashes and lips; shave eyebrows.

Wear a shirt; wear opera gloves; hang a cross.

Tattoos; piercings (especially tongue, nose, and nipples)

Top shoes or high heels.

Patterned leather jacket; black raincoat.

Wear sunglasses regardless of wind or rain.

Literature that Goths like:

It’s hard to say which kind of literature Goths particularly love. Many Gothic readers

have rich experiences. They study various books ranging from classical literature, religion, philosophy, history to politics. Personal hobbies depend on each person's different personality

Representative Gothic literature includes the following categories:

Vampire legends; horror novels

Anne Rice: "Interview with the Vampire", "The Tale of the Body Thief"

Poppy Z.Brite: "Lost Souls"

H.P. Lovecraft, Ray Bradbury

Classical Literature

Romantic Poetry: Shelley, Bye Allen

All works of Edgar Allen Poe

Goth's favorite movies:

"The Hunger" --- David Bowie & Susuan Sarandon

"Rocky Horror Pictures Show" --- Tim Curry

"Hellraiser"