華語中有許多固定形式的詞彙，大部分的固定語式都具有歷史意義，包含了自古流傳下來的故事及先人的智慧，有教化人心的功能，甚至可以從這些固定語式中隱喻形式及所蘊含的意義認識華人文化的精華 (李子瑄，曹逢甫，2009)。許多固定語式並不能直接從字面上看出實際意思，例如：「守株待兔」、「生龍活虎」、「青梅竹馬」等等，因此這就涉及了隱喻在語言中的作用，也包含了語言背後的文化、風土民情、生活習性、價值觀念或是信仰。這也驗證了Sapir-Whorf的假說，外在的語言形式和其內在文化的關係是密不可分的。
每種動物在不同的文化背景中都有正面或負面的意思，認知理解的過程會因為文化背景的差異而有不同的思維及想法。本研究主要以Lakoff和Johnson(1980)隱喻理論 (the theory of metaphorical conception) 探討在動物固定語式中的運用。本研究的範圍是以中國十二生肖動物中與「龍」、「蛇」相關固定語式的隱喻方式，探討華人社會文化與固定語式隱喻的關係，並試著歸納隱喻的映射關係及探討華語固定語式的使用方式和搭配用法。本研究採用質性研究方式，以教育部線上成語典作為語料來源，分析與中國「龍」、「蛇」相關固定語式，探討其所傳達隱喻意思，並分析其原因及背後所隱含的華人文化內涵，進一步希望藉由了解動物固定語隱喻的含意及使用方法，有助華語學習者更容易在學習的過程中可以藉由此研究的結果歸納一個基本的隱喻及文化的認知概念，以提升學習華語的成效，進而了解華人文化，能夠促使跨文化的交流與理解，增加文化的深度與廣度，以減低不同文化背景的誤解。

There are many fixed expressions in Mandarian Chinese. Most of them have historical meanings, including the historical stories and the wisdom of ancestors. They can educate people, and we can even get to know the real meanings and Chinese culture from the metaphorical analysis of fixed expressions (Li & Cao, 2009). Many of fixed expressions can not be understood correctly from the surface expressions, such as “shǒu jhu dài tù”, “shēng lóng huó hǔ “, “cing méi jhú mǎ” and so on. It is because of the metaphorical expressions in one language. It is also related with cultures from different languages, customs, living stytls, values, or believes. Sapir-Whorf also pointed out that the language form and culture are closely related.
In different cultures, each animal has the positive and negative meanings. The process of understanding is different based on different culture background and thinkings. This research is based on the theory of metaphorical conception (Lakoff & Johnson, 1980), and discusses the application of fixed expressions with animals, especially “dragon” and “snake”. Furthermore, from the metaphorical analysis, the relations between Chinese culture and metaphorical intrepretation of the fixed expressions are disscussed in this research. Besides, the research wants to discuss the application and collations of fixed expressions in Mandarian Chinese. It is based on methods of qualitative studies, and the resourses are from online idiom dictionary of Ministry of Education, with special reference to dragons and snakes. This research would discuss the metaphorical expressions and reasons, and Chinese culture behind the language. Furthermore, it may provide a learning way for foreign learners to understand metaphorical interpretation of fixed expressions and Chinese culture, and also help them learn Mandarian Chinese effectively. Besides, this research hopes to do cross-culture communication and understandings, and decrease the misunderstandings of different cultures.

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