The Nianhua Gallery

Auspicious Images

Most of the images found on this site make specific references to places, people or events, and thus can be described as 'narrative'. The nianhua genre, however, also includes many pictures that are more abstract in their reference to broadly defined wishes and desires. Understanding their meaning often depends on understanding the visual pun that they contain. 'Monkey' for example, rhymes with 'marquis' and so often (but not always) suggests the desire for promotion to high office. 'Gold fish' rhymes with 'Gold and Jade' and so suggests the wish for wealth. 'Goat' rhymes with yang (positive energy and sunlight, as in yin yang), and so implies the arrival of spring. A tiger is also a powerful symbol of yang, which in this case is effective in warding off negative energy or harmful spirits. 'Chicken' rhymes with 'auspicious', and so a 'big chicken' suggests 'great auspiciousness'. The appearance of children in any image shows the desire for many offspring, especially boys.