The Meaning of Beauty in Imperfection

In the world, many people link beauty to perfection. Does this mean that only perfect things can be considered beautiful? The answer is absolutely no. Due to the numerous imperfect aspects of life, people should learn to find beauty in imperfection.

So, what is the definition of beauty in imperfection? How is it reflected in various fields? Is it always the case that perfect things look better than their flawed counterparts? Does every defect make things beautiful? Such questions and controversies may arise in people’s minds.

This essay will attempt to answer them one by one.

Imperfect beauty can be defined as something beautifully imperfect. More specifically, let’s consider the definition in the field of aesthetics. According to Yang Ming, “Incomplete beauty is a higher level based on traditional aesthetics. It offers not just the enjoyment of simple stereotypes, but a kind of beauty that brings shock to people from the inner essence.” (Yang Ming, 2014). What’s more, Wabi-Sabi, a Japanese aesthetic concept, beautifully expresses the concept of beauty in imperfection. As Lawrence states, “Wabi-sabi is the art of finding beauty in imperfection and profundity in earthiness, of revering authenticity above all.” (Lawrence, R.G., 2001). Wabi-Sabi suggests that people can find beauty in ordinary, broken or imperfect items in their daily lives. For example, a vase with a small crack or a faded piece of cloth can be seen as objects of beauty.

Imperfect beauty exists in many fields of art, including sculpture, literature, movies, and so forth. But it manifests in different states. In sculpture, this beauty is evident in famous broken statues that are undeniably beautiful. In movies and literature, it reflects in touching tragedies. There are many examples illustrating the beauty of imperfection, some of which will be mentioned below. For instance, the Venus of Milos and the Winged Victory of Samothrace are sculptures of immense artistic value. Despite their damages, one cannot deny their beauty. Indeed, from the moment of their discovery, they have intrigued and captivated people, igniting their imaginations about their original, complete forms.

Many Chinese literature works reflect beauty in imperfection as well. This aesthetic is not only present in famous and classic books such as Dream of Red Mansions, but also in contemporary literature. A notable example is the literature of Chi Zijian, a prolific writer known for tragedies that embody the concept of imperfect beauty. As Li Bohua and his colleagues note, “Chi Zijian uses warm narrative to dilute the sorrow, relieve the pain, and show it in a life full of imperfections” (Li Baohua, Li Guangjie, & Ma Chi, 2017). Even though his stories reveal the tragic and imperfect aspects of life, they nevertheless highlight the profound beauty inherent in existence. This concept is not limited to literature. A prime example from cinema is the popular movie Titanic. With its tragic ending, this film has deeply touched audiences. Despite the tendency for many to envision a perfect ending for a love story as one where the lovers live happily together, Titanic’s ending is far from this ideal. Yet, if the love story of Titanic had a perfect ending, it may not have had such a powerful impact.

Even though items embodying imperfect beauty are highly valued, there are still those who believe that perfection is inherently more beautiful than flaw. However, the two should not be compared, as each expresses beauty in a different manner. According to Zhou Ling, “The imperfect beauty is reflected in imagination and in reality” (Zhang Ling, 2005). An item with flaws incites the viewer’s imagination, encouraging them to aspire for beauty. In contrast, perfection implies a fantastical quality and limits the room for imagination. A common example is the debate over the Venus de Milo. Many speculate whether she would be more beautiful if her broken arm was fixed. However, attempts to restore her to “perfection” have demonstrated otherwise. In fact, attempts to realign the goddess’s broken arm have failed to capture her original beauty.

German archaeologist Folto Wengula, for example, envisioned the goddess with her left arm outstretched, resting on a pole with a golden apple in her palm while her right hand fell naturally, holding her fallen gown. Similarly, British doctor Croce As Dalal suggested that she held a shield in her left hand while her right arm hung loosely, no longer holding her gown. There have even been recent suggestions that she should be reconfigured with her left arm outstretched towards the ‘God of Heaven’, Cupid. However, regardless of the pose ascribed to her, none of these attempts of restoration harmonized with her original form. These attempts only disrupted the existing allure of the Venus de Milo, denoting that beauty in imperfection indeed possesses its charm (He Xiangchun, 2014).

Beauty in imperfection can sometimes encapsulate the “perfect” for some items. As Tie Jiao says, “People tend to pursue perfection, but the perfect connotation is imperfect” (Tie Jiao, 2009). In Chinese history and literature, the most famous beauties are flawed. For example, Xi Shi is considered the epitome of beauty for many people, but numerous records suggest that she often appeared ill. This perceived frailty, however, only enhances her appeal, making her beauty more poignant. Hence, it is not necessary for things to appear perfect at all times.

On the other hand, some people, influenced by the Venus of Milos, proposed an idea that a defect is a form of beauty. However, this statement doesn’t make sense. Wang Fenglian comments on this matter, saying, “A shortcoming is just that: a shortcoming. It isn’t a form of beauty in itself, but rather, beauty is created by the aesthetic subject caused by the imperfection.” (Wang Fenglian, 2007) In some cases, defects really need to be avoided, like in a dance performance, for instance. Therefore, people should understand that defects don’t have a direct correlation with beauty.

“Imperfect beauty” can be defined as a form of beauty that’s closer to the essence of real life, and it has irreplaceable value across many artistic fields. If people pursue this type of beauty in their daily lives, life will certainly become more colorful.

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