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The Rooster Protects the House from Suzhou

Chinese

Artwork Details

The Rooster Protects the House from Suzhou
20th century
Chinese
color woodblock print mounted on stiff board with silk borders
22 in x 18 in (55.88 cm x 45.72 cm);9 5/8 in x 10 5/8 in (24.45 cm x 26.99 cm);15 3/4 in x 15 3/4 in (40.01 cm x 40.01 cm)
Gift of Ellen and Richard Laing
2006/2.47

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Description

As early as the sixth century AD, it was customary in China to paste an image of a rooster on the door on the first day of the lunar New Year to protect the household. The rooster is associated with the sun, and the idea that at cockcrow all darkness of evil disappears. The rooster is also holding a mantis in its beak, making a rebus (or pictorial pun). The pronunciation of the characters for “mantis” (tanglang) are similar in sound to those for “promotion to a high official post” (dang lang), implying that the rooster brings good fortune to the family. In addition, the pronunciation of the character for “rooster” (ji) is identical to that for “auspicious.” Other propitious motifs in this print include a branch of red coral (for wealth), a red peony (for honor) and a pointed green Artemisia leaf (the strong scent provides protection against evil).
This custom continues today as Chinese homes are brilliantly decorated with door gods (menshen), wealth deities, and “luck-bringing papers” in preparation of the lunar New Year—the last day of the twelfth moon.
(Label for UMMA Chinese Gallery Opening Rotation, March 2009)

Subject Matter:

As early as the sixth century AD, it was customary in China to paste an image of a rooster on the door on the first day of the lunar New Year to protect the household. The rooster is associated with the sun, and when the rooster crows it is believed that all darkness of evil disappears. The rooster holds a mantis in its beak. The pronunciation of the characters for "mantis" (tanglang) are similar in sound to those for "promotion to a high official post" (dang lang), implying that the rooster brings good fortune too the family. In addition, the pronunciation of the character for rooster (ji) is identical to that for "auspicious." Other, propitious motifs in this print include a branch of red coral (for wealth), a red peony (for honor) and a pointed green Artemisia leaf (whose strong scent provides protection against evil).

Physical Description:

Polychrome woodblock print of a rooster holding a praying mantis in its mouth with four characters at top center framed by a floral scrolling border

Usage Rights:

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