When I came to the UK, I was surprised by the presence of foxes on the streets; foxes are rarely seen on Chinese city streets, where it is more common to see stray or feral cats and dogs. However, when I talked to British people about foxes, they told me they were commonplace. Cultural metabolism explores—through collage and archival imagery—the different perceptions of foxes in China and the UK and what they symbolise within cultural artefacts.

In England, foxes symbolise class more than anything else. Fox hunting represents class and social hierarchy, originating with the medieval aristocracy and later becoming a traditional sport for the Victorian upper classes. The ‘fox hunt’ symbolised tradition, high social status and inherited wealth, and was an arena for socialising and competing for status. Fox hunting was banned in the UK, although some claim it still prevails secretly in rural areas. In British cities, foxes have adapted to urban life, scavenging for food and finding homes amongst urban parks and gardens. However, their feral nature causes them to be described as thieves and pests. Historically, fox hunting was also seen as an expression of class. Thus, the fox is a feralised animal, well adapted to a human-made territory, but also an animal hunted to reinforce conservative social hierarchy.

In ancient traditional Chinese culture, the fox was regarded as a mystical animal with supernatural powers. Foxes appear in literature, art and mythology rather than as hunting objects, such as Daji and King Zhou in the Investiture of the Gods. Daji was a fox spirit possessing sorcery and magical powers and was considered evil and cunning. She bewitches King Zhou, causing him to indulge in her beauty and power, which ultimately leads to the downfall of the Shang Dynasty. Similar stories explore the complex relationship between desire, metamorphosis and human nature in ancient China.

Overall, the fox has significant symbolism in both British and Chinese culture. In Britain, it represents feral forms of wildlife and a traditional form of hunting that reinforces class values. In China, the fox often symbolizes feminine characters. This cultural difference demonstrates the multiple meanings of the fox in different cultures and how they reflect and shape the values and perceptions of both countries.