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The Qilin Brings a Child

Tags: blessing | print

This set of decorative paintings for doors is made up of two halves. Its green background is ornamented with gourds, a metaphor meaning endless generations of offspring. Each painting displays three children. The middle one, a noble son with a prince’s crown on his head, sits astride a qilin (Chinese unicorn) and holds an infant in his arms. Behind him is an attendant child carrying a feather canopy. The set of pictures conveys the meaning of two phrases “The Qilin brings a child” and “Endless generations of offspring.” With its resplendent colors that create a jubilant mood, the set is used for congratulating newlyweds.

 

Printmaking
47.5 x54 cm

National Museum of History