chapter 4

恨如冰

The author's exploration of orientational metaphors in Metaphors We Live By illuminates how spatial concepts like “up-down” and “front-back” systematically structure abstract human experiences.This chapter reveals that these metaphors are neither arbitrary nor purely linguistic; they are deeply rooted in our physical interactions with the world and refined by cultural context.

The authors argue that orientational metaphors—such as “HAPPY IS UP” (e.g., spirits rose) or “CONTROL IS UP” (e.g., he’s on top)—emerge from bodily experiences. For instance, erect posture correlates with vitality, while physical dominance in conflicts often positions the victor literally above the defeated. Such correlations translate into metaphorical frameworks that allow us to conceptualize emotions, power dynamics, and morality spatially. A striking example is the duality of “FUTURE IS AHEAD” in many cultures versus “FUTURE IS BEHIND” in others, reflecting divergent spatializations of time based on cultural practices.

What fascinates me is how these metaphors transcend individual cognition to shape collective understanding. For instance, the metaphor “RATIONAL IS UP” (e.g., high-level discussion) stems from humanity’s self-perception as beings elevated above nature through reason. This intertwines with cultural hierarchies where “high status” equates to moral or intellectual superiority. Yet Lakoff and Johnson caution that such mappings are culturally contingent—what is “up” in one society might not hold elsewhere.