Tags: blessing | print

This set of decorative paintings for doors is made up of two halves. The right half presents the Chinese phrase, tao xian qian nian (peaches confer a thousand years of longevity), and the left half presents liu kai bai zi (pomegranates bring about a hundred sons). With the main theme of “Qilin brings a child,” the paintings also have many decorative patterns such as luxurious peonies, treasures, and lotus flowers surrounding the center. All these auspicious symbols signify a traditional Chinese longing for blessings of wealth, longevity, fertility, and luck. However, praying for many offspring is a concept belonging to the old agrarian society and may not be suitable for modern society.

Printmaking
37 x53 cm

National Museum of History