The Nianhua Gallery

Women

       Women appear frequently as subjects in nianhua. Their most common roles are defined according to the traditional conception of the ideal woman as a “good wife, wise mother” (xianqi liangmu), or in their economic role as a textile producer (Nü shimang). As featured in the tale of “Second Concubine Teachers Her Son” (Sanniang jiaozi), the “exemplary woman” (lienü) was expected to overcome adversity and be loyal to her husband and son or to remain a “chaste widow” in the event of her husband’s death. More frequently, nianhua represent the joys of betrothal and motherhood as seen in the many variations on giving birth to “chubby babies” (pang wawa).  
        Symbolism is paramount in these images, and a fish or flower can mean many things beyond what meets the eye. As characters in dramas, women are often cast contrary to such expectations; as objects of desire, as heroic fighters, and as free spirits (see the “Theatre” section of this website, especially “Diaochan Serves Wine”, “Monkey Steals the Banana Leaf Fan” and “At the Sweet Dew Temple”). In the religious realm female deities and immortals are seen to aid women in achieving fertility and lead all people toward health, prosperity and enlightenment.

 

Liannian youyu – Surplus Year after Year

Liannian youyu – Surplus Year after Year Yangjiabu, Shandong

Liannian youyu – Surplus Year after Year

Liannian youyu – Surplus Year after Year Yangjiabu, Shandong 

Fairy Spreads Flowers1

Fairy Spreads Flowers, Goddess Spreads Flowers Yangjiabu, Shandong

Fairy Spreads Flowers2

Fairy Spreads Flowers, Goddess Spreads Flowers Yangjiabu, Shandong

 

Liannian youyu1

Liannian youyu – Surplus Year after Year Yangjiabu, Shandong 


Liannian youyu – Surplus Year after Year

Liannian youyu – Surplus Year after Year Yangjiabu, Shandong 

Double Happiness Day Approaches

Double Happiness Day Approaches Yangjiabu, Shandong 

Five Good Fortunes Arrive Today

Five Good Fortunes Arrive Today Yangjiabu, Shandong 

Lu He Tong Chun

Deer and Crane Together in Spring Yangjiabu, Shandong

Deer and Crane Together in Spring

Deer and Crane Together in Spring Yangjiabu, Shandong 

Continuously birth precious sons

Continuously birth precious sons  Yangjiabu, Shandong 

Wealth for 10,000 li

Wealth for 10,000 li  Yangjiabu, Shandong 

Send me babies and money

Send me babies and money! Yangjiabu, Shandong

Sanniang jiaozi

Sanniang jiaozi  Zhuxianzhen, Henan 

Qilin Sends Sons

Qilin Sends Sons  Zhuxianzhen, Henan
 
 

Qilin Sends Sons

Qilin Sends Sons  Zhuxianzhen, Henan

Girl with Chair

Girl with Chair  Mianzhu, Sichuan

Girl with Fan and Peaches

Girl with Fan and Peaches  Mianzhu, Sichuan

Girl with Fan and Umbrella

Girl with Fan and Umbrella Mianzhu, Sichuan

 

Girl with Fans

Girl with Fans  Mianzhu, Sichuan

Girls with Fan and Parasol

Girls with Fan and Parasol  Mianzhu, Sichuan

Girl with Flowers

Girl with Flowers Mianzhu, Sichuan

Girl with Fan and Umbrella

Girl with Fan and Umbrella Mianzhu, Sichuan

 

Girl with Bicycle

Girl with Bicycle  Mianzhu, Sichuan

stove_2

'The Labours of Women (I)' Fengxiang, Shaanxi
 stove_2
'The Labours of Women (II)' Fengxiang, Shaanxi 

Daoist Immortal Sends Longevity Wine

Daoist Immortal Sends Longevity Wine  Yangjiabu, Shandong

The Flat Peach Party

The Flat Peach Party  Yangjiabu, Shandong

Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy

Guanyin, Goddess of Mercy

Qilin sends sons

Qilin sends sons  Yangjiabu, Shandong

Qilin sends sons

Qilin sends sons  Yangjiabu, Shandong

Qilin sends sons

Qilin sends sons  Yangjiabu, Shandong

 Qilin sends sons

Qilin sends sons  Yangjiabu, Shandong

 

Welcome a Joyous New Year

Welcome a Joyous New Year Yangjiabu, Shandong

 Qilin sends sons

Welcome a Joyous New Year Yangjiabu, Shandong