This is a figurine of Bei Di, who is the Prince of Shang dynasty. In a dream, the Queen swallowed the sun and felt pregnant after 14 months Bei Di was born. Though being the heir of the kingdom, he was more interested in meditation than in the power he was born into. Finally, he left his parents and went to Wu Dung to study Taoism. After 42 years, he was sainted by the Jade Emperor. It is also believed that he is the 82 reincarnation of the Tai Shang Lao Jun.
There are several Bei Di temples in Hong Kong which is well worth visiting.
There is one in Wanchai, Sham Shui Po and Cheung Chau.
This is an effigy of a elder female ancestor of the Tanka tribe. These ancestor figurines were kept at the boats of the Tanka fisherman offering them safety at sea.
The pair of babies next to the jade plaque are known as Happy Encounter, a romantic blessing symbol. They are holding a lotus flower 蓮, has the same pronunciation (lian) as the word 年 yearly. In the old days, with a high motility rate and the idea of continuing the family tree, having as many children is wish by many. Below the figurines hang a xiu qiu which is a traditional romantic keepsake.
Something Old Something New
Collectible Jewellery Collection
Inspired by the Han dynasty wooden horse, this white horse is constructed entirely with paper.
Horses were highly priced in the Han dynasty (200 B.C. – 220 A.D.). The use of war chariots started in the Warring State period (450 B.C.) and gradually replaced by cavalry in the Han dynasty. This change was brought about by the discovered of the heavenly horses, a superior breed that is found in the Feghana Basin (today’s Afghanistan). Failing to obtain these horse peacefully, lengthy wars took place; Chang An, the capital of Han, is far far away from Feghana Basin (some 2000km away, that is if we take the plane, and much more by foot). The long journey was exhausting and food soon ran out, by time the Han army reaches the Feghana Basin, the starving troops were defeated even by the smaller war lords. General Li Guang Li, led the remaining of his men back to Chang An. The emperor gave the general a larger army and a large supply of food and sent off again. This time they reach the Dayuan capital, Khujand, with no difficulties. The Han army was no match with the enemy, half the men was killed in the first battle. General Li changed his plan and instead of fighting with the Dayuan, he succeeded in cutting off the water supply to the city. Within the city the nobles revolted against the ruler and offered a tribute of 3000 heavenly horses.
A Shi Wan figurine of a gentlemen admiring a piece of inkstone, on the bench is an armrest for calligraphy. He is Su Dong Po, a very known scholar of the Sung dynasty, also well known is the recipe for double cooked pork belly. Amongst the inkstone collectors, Dong Po is a inkstone fanatic and his dispersed collection is well thought after by many today.
A good sword is well treasured by a martial artist, like a mirror to a beauty and an inkstone for a calligrapher. When Dong Po was a boy, he found a green piece of stone which is perfect for testing ink, realizing its a rare find his father had it made into an inkstone for his son. Dong Po had it by his side throughout his career and treasured it so much that he inscribed a piece of writing on the back of the stone, the famous “sky stone”. Knowing of his hobby, the emperor also rewarded him with other good pieces of inkstones.
During rutting period, the stag will roar to both attract the females and to keep his harem of females together.
In Shi Jing (The Classic Book of Poetry), the cries of the deer is expressed as relaxed and natural atmosphere.
呦呦鹿鸣，食野之苹。
我有嘉宾，鼓瑟吹笙。
吹笙鼓簧，承筐是将。
人之好我，示我周行。
呦呦鹿鸣，食野之蒿。
我有嘉宾，德音孔昭。
视民不恌，君子是则是效。
我有旨酒，嘉宾式燕以敖。
呦呦鹿鸣，食野之芩。
我有嘉宾，鼓瑟鼓琴。
鼓瑟鼓琴，和乐且湛。
我有旨酒，以燕乐嘉宾之心。
With pleased sounds the deer call to one another,
Eating the celery of the fields.
I have here admirable guests;
The lutes are struck, and the organ is blown;
The organ is blown till its tongues are all moving.
The baskets of offerings are presented to them.
The men lovews me,
ANd will show me the perfect path.
With pleased sound the deer call to one another,
Eating the southernwood of the fields.
I have here admirable guests;
Whose virtuous fame is grandly brilliant.
They show the people not to be mean;
The officers have in them a pattern and model.
I have good wine,
Which my admirable guests drink, enjoying themselves.
With pleased sounds the deer call to one another,
Eating the salsola of the fields.
I have here admirable guests;
For whom are struck the lutes, large and small.
THe lutes, large and small, are struck,
And our harmonious joy is long continued.
I have good wine,
To feast and make glad the hearts of my admirable guest.
Today is Tango no Sekku, Boy’s day, in Japan. Along with the Koinobori (carp banner), figurines will be placed inside of the house. It is believed that these figurines will protect the child; offering bravery and well being.
This is a lucky tiger – Fuku Tora, made with cloth.
This golden wood carving makes a perfect birthday present.
The four figurines are full of blessing, Fu Lu Shou and Ma Gu. They are all Taoist saints, representing blessings and happiness.
Fu (far right) – the planet Jupiter which was also attributed to Yang Cheng of the West Han period. Yang, after being nominated to be the Daozhou official, abolished the practice of present contribution to the Emperor, relieving the stain for the people and therefore seen as a blessing.
Lu (left of Fu) – god of prosperity. The stars Ursa Majoris humanized as Zhang Xian of the Shu dynasty, a brave general who was respected by the Emperor and worshiped by the people.
Shou (left of Lu) – god of longevity. The stars of Canopus, translated as Peng Zu who is believed to have livd to an age of 767!!
Lady (at the far left) is Ma Gu, goddess of longevity – with the appearance still being in her teens, she has witnessed 3 times the sea turned into fields (judging its not from any dramatic climatic changes, she has been around for a long long time). Her immortality and her yearly birthday tribute to the Queen Mother of the West is seen as a blessing and so Ma Gu is a popular subject for pritns, figurines, embroidery and alike.
During the Holy Week in the Philippines, starting from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, a number of religious observations were held.
On Good Friday (Biyernes Santo), the day starts with the Way of the Cross procession where Jesus’ Seven Last Words are portrayed. In some area, this was acted out literally, those who had their wishes granted even went as far as having themselves nailed on a cross. This is followed by the procession of the Sano Eniterro, where a wooden sculpture of the dead Christ is parade. Scenes from the life Jesus were also depicted in figurines and shown in carriages around town.
In this figurine, Jesus is lifting up his garment and revealing his left leg, would anyone know which part of the scripture does this fit into?
This little monster is the son of the dragon, his name is Suan Ni. He loves smokes and incense and normally found on the incense burner, as he also loves sitting around Suan Ni is one of the monsters that resides on the roof. Unlike his brother Chi Wen who loves looking a far and occupies the two ends of the main ridge, Suan Ni sits with the other 4 monsters on the hip of the roof.
The Phoenix Riding Saint – the brother in law of Jiang Zi Ya, who is always nagging Jiang for a promotion in his sainthood. Jiang, in charge of the appointment of saints put him at the end of the ridge, meaning that anything higher will cause him to fall off the roof.
Followed by the 5 roof hip monsters;
Pheonix – a mythical creature, the queen of all birds.
Suan Ni – the on of dragon who sit around and loves smokes and incense.
Xia Yu – a sea monster, together with Suan Ni, they can control the weather and protect the building. Xie Zhi – part eagle part leopard, eating all the bad guys, a symbol of justice. Dou Niu – a type of dragon, able to control the rain.
W140xD100xH320mm, China
L160xD100xH120mm, China
Mountain Folkcraft 