What are the different types of Chinese New Year paintings?
Chinese New Year paintings are a traditional Chinese folk art form, mainly used for decoration during the Lunar New Year, expressing people's good wishes for warding off evil, praying for blessings, and welcoming good fortune in the new year.
Classification by Content and Theme
1. Door Gods
Martial Door Gods: Holding weapons, with imposing figures, used to guard the main gate and ward off evil spirits. Examples include Qin Qiong, Yuchi Gong, Zhao Yun, and Guan Yu, among other military generals.
Civil Door Gods: Wearing court robes and holding auspicious objects, used for praying for blessings at inner doors. Examples include the Heavenly Official (bestowing blessings), the Top Scholar, and the Goddess of Fertility.
Blessing Door Gods: Not emphasizing warding off evil, but highlighting auspicious meanings. Examples include the Three Star Gods of Fortune, Prosperity, and Longevity, and the Two Immortals of Harmony (symbolizing harmony and union).
2. Auspicious and Lucky Symbols
Auspicious Patterns: Expressing good wishes through symbolism and homophones.
Abundant Harvest Year After Year: A child holding a carp and lotus flowers.
Abundant Harvest of Five Grains: Auspicious beasts, ears of rice, etc.
Blooming Flowers and Wealth: Peonies and vases.
Peace and Safety in All Seasons: Vases and seasonal flowers.
Deity paintings: God of Wealth (Zhao Gongming, Guan Gong), Kitchen God, Guanyin, etc., used for sacrificial rites and prayers for blessings.
3. Baby and Beauty Paintings
Baby paintings: Healthy and lively chubby babies, symbolizing many children and prosperity for the family. Examples include "Qilin Bringing a Child" and "Abundant Wealth and Jade."
Beauty Paintings: Elegant depictions of ladies, often combined with auspicious scenery, reflecting a yearning for a better life. Examples include the ladies' paintings in "Dream of the Red Chamber."
4. Secular Life Paintings
Depicting scenes of ordinary people's labor, entertainment, and festivals, full of life. Examples include "Men's Ten Busy Tasks" (depicting men plowing and other agricultural activities), "Women's Ten Busy Tasks" (women weaving and other domestic chores), "Family Reunion," and scenes from markets and temple fairs.
5. Stories and Legends Paintings
Opera and Novels: Based on classic plots and scenes from "Romance of the Three Kingdoms," "Journey to the West," "Water Margin," and "Legend of the White Snake."
Myths and Fables: Such as "The Eight Immortals Crossing the Sea" and "The Cowherd and the Weaver Girl."
Historical anecdotes, such as "The Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars" and "Kong Rong Giving Up the Pear," serve to educate and teach morality.
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