Deer and Crane Together in Spring
Lu He Tong Chun – Deer and Crane Together in Spring
Yangjiabu, Shandong
35x45cm
Modern reprint of early twentieth century
Nianhua images often employ rebuses (pictures that represent words). The deer (lu), in this case represents ‘official salary’, and the crane (he) represents peace (he). The woman on both sheets carries a hoe and basket of herbs. These attributes identify her as Magu, the Daoist immortal who collects medicine and hemp, and safeguards women’s health. The boys at her side carry an open pomegranate and a peach. Both symbolize fertility.
