Heavenly Officials with Symbols for Success in Examinations, Happiness, and Good Fortune (Diptych)
Chinese
Description
Subject Matter:
The larger figure is a 'Heavenly official' wearing elaborate Qing-style court robes. His robe features a white crane in the center, which symbolizes peace and longevity, and also depicts his rank. He is holding a dish with a fish and there seems to be a speech bubble coming out of the fish with Chinese characters that depicts "double happiness," which is a symbol for good luck, especially for a marriage. Fish represents an abundance, and the Chinese character has guords and flowers around it, which symbolizes generations of a large family with many children, and is also a charm to ward off evil spirits and diseases. The boy figure is holding a wind chime decoration and there are Chinese characters on in which represent an analogy that means "success with examinations lead to a rise in status".
Physical Description:
Right panel of a diptych of a figure dressed in an elaborate robe with a crane motif. He is holding a dish in one hand with a fish and there is a smaller figure behind him facing away from him. The smaller figure is holding up a wind chime decoration that features Chinese characters. The official is facing left.
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