W25xD25xH85mm, China
The Chinese adores the symbol of the bat; being viewed as an icon of blessing, their symbol can be seen everywhere. The Chinese name for bat is 蝠 (fu), which sound like the word blessing, 福 (fu).
This particular toggle do looks a bit like the Dracula, now that’s a cool blessing!
Click here to see our other bats.
W370 X H650mm, China
The recent generations of the Chinese are familiar with the Gods – Fu Lu Shou, the trio that stood in the prime location of the living room almost like an alter piece. Its only recently that I discovered that they are no a trio but a group of five! Nowadays rarely seen together, the five are made up of Fu, Lu, Shou, Xi and Cai.
Fu – God of Blessing – dressed in red robe holding large “ru yi” scepter
Lu – God of Fortune – holding a decree from the Emperor
Shou – God of Longevity – old man holding cane and peach
Xi – God of Happiness – holding a kid
Cai – God of Wealth – holding golden ingot
In this print, the trio are Fu in the middle with Shou on the right and Xi on the left.
Come to see the actual print and many others at the
New Year Print Exhibition
MOUNTAIN FOLKCRAFT
CHINESE WOOD BLOCK PRINT COLLECTION
W380xH520mm, China
Bird and the Plum Blossom,
a traditional and popular composition for Chinese crafts.
A play on the phase 喜上眉梢 (xi shang mei shao), one is so happy that joy is expressed when in the eye brow. You might wonder what a facial express has to do with plum blossom and bird. The bird is 喜鵲 pica pica (magpie), its climbing on the plum branch 喜上梅梢 (xi shang mei que) has the same pronunciation has this uncontrollable joy.
Bird and Plum Blossom theme with
pearl inlay craft – pearl box,
pottery pattern – plum & bird plate,
ceramic figurines – pottery birds,
wood carving – birds in plum blossom
L250xH130xD60mm, China
A golden lacquered wood carving of the blessed symbols.
Flower – Wealth
Pomegranate (right) – Fertility
Books (behind flower) – Intellect
Painting (behind books) – Scholarly
Gu Qin, musical instrument (right of flower) – Peacefulness
L430xD60xH110mm, China
This wood carving would have been the center piece of a furniture. A pair of phoenix amidst an intricate carving of clouds are flying towards the raising sun.
The phoenix is a pair of mythical birds that symbolizes peace. These king of birds flying towards the sun represent an expectation of well being to come; a blessing of health, longevity and goodness.
W550xH400mm, China
The title for this wood block entitled, A Tank Full of Gold Fish, 金魚滿堂 (jin yu man tang). Though gold fish is a popular pet for the Chinese, the blessing behind the cute gold fish is a play with homophone. The words 金玉滿堂 also share the same pronunciation but instead of gold fish, the large space is filled with gold and jade.
It seems tremendously greedy to wish for a room to be filled with money, but throughout history China has been war, famine and hardship, a wish portrayed in the form of cheerful gold fish is for some the only thing that keep them going and maybe one day, they will have their living room filled with gold and jade.
W170xD60xH130mm, China
“Child from the Saints” is a popular blessing subject in the Ming and Qing period, symbolizing blessing and fertility. The legend dated back to the late Han dynasty, when the Wei Emperor to be was a poor farmer. One spring, when he was working in the field, he saw a immaculate carriage landed from the sky, inside of the carriage was a beautiful lady. He put away his tools and went to greet the visitor, the lady told him she is send by the Jade Emperor to be his wife, the two got married on the day, the lady saint said she has to go back to heaven and would meet him again a year later at the same place. A year later, Wei arrived early to the field awaiting for his date, the magic carriage appeared, inside it was the lady saint together with a baby. She handed him the baby and said he was his son and he will be the Emperor.
W600xH170mm, China
A phrase of blessing, 福壽無疆 “Fu Shou Wu Jiang”, good fortune and longevity without limit.
On the print are 4 fruits (from right to left); the Buddha’s hand fruit, the peach, large fruit and the pomegranate, they are also symbol of blessings.
Buddha’s Hand Fruit 佛手 – the fortune hand 福手 as they share the same pronounciation “Fu Shou”.
Longevity Peach 壽桃- the magical peaches that produce longevity.
Large Fruit 碩果- the rare individual that made large achievements.
Pomegranate 石榴 – the many seeds of the pomegranate symbolizes many sons.
This new year print was from the Ping Yang school which started print making since the Sung dynasty. This print is by one of the famous print shop 興昌畫店 in Lin Fin Town.
W320xH240mm, China
There are different new year print for different blessings, for fertility, longevity, health, prosperity, etc. This particular one is for the livestock and the working cart; sitting in the middle the guy with 3 eyes is Hua Guang, one of the 4 Taoist Saints, a powerful warrior against evils. On both sides of him are 2 banners, 牛馬平安 (blessing to the ox and horses), 日進斗金 (daily income of 100g of gold).
DIA150xH70mm, China
This is a hat for the new born baby, a blessing from the mother.
Three different fruits are embroidered on the top of the hat (click on the links for more stories about the symbolism);
Peach – symbolizes longevity,
Promegranate – symbolizes fertility,
Buddha’s Finger – symbolizes happiness.
Embroidered n the back flap are the symbols of;
the word “壽” – longevity,
卐 – “Swastika” – luck,
Double Bat – double blessing.
All the good thoughts from the mother to the child.
Mountain Folkcraft 