Created with woodblock printing and colored hand-painting techniques, New Year painting has a history of nearly 2,000 years in China. Some say it originated from the “Door God” paintings that used to be placed near the doors to fend off evils or ghosts. 

According to classical historical records, the tradition of putting paintings of deities in front of the doors dates back to the Han Dynasty (202 BC-AD 220), but some researchers and historians say the standard form of the Door God painting first appeared in the Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907). It is said Emperor Taizong (AD 598-649), a co-founder of the Tang Dynasty, used to be startled by wailing ghosts in his dreams. Two of his generals then volunteered to stand outside the door of the emperor's chamber every night to guard against any evils and ghosts. Since then, the Door God paintings caught up with the rest of the country.

There are a number of famous New Year painting production towns and villages across the country. They include Yangliuqing in northern China's Tianjin metropolis, Zhuxian Town in Kaifeng in central China's Henan Province, Taohuawu in Suzhou in Jiangsu Province south of the Yangtze River, Yangjiabu Village in east China's Shandong Province and Mianzhu in southwest China's Sichuan Province.

Among them, Yangliuqing is generally considered the leading producer of traditional New Year paintings in the north and Taohuawu is a counterpart in the south.

In Chinese, Yangliuqing literally means Green Poplar and Willow and Taohuawu, Peach Blossom Dock, hence the saying “Willow in the north and peach in the south” among the New Year painting producers and customers. Yangliuqing New Year woodblock print dates back more than 600 years in Yuan Dynasty (1206-1368), when an artisan specializing in wood engraving came to Yangliuqing to take refuge as the peasants' rebellion raged across the country.

To make a living, the artisan sold woodblock prints of door and kitchen deities to the locals, which soon became very popular. The production of such prints was turned into a local trade. Particularly, in the early 15th century, the newly-dredged Grand Canal, the longest artificial river in the world, brought high-quality paper to town and a great variety of coloring materials from the south, which greatly helped to boost the woodblock print business in Yangliuqing. In its prime years in the middle and late Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), there were more than 30 villages around Yangliuqing that were all engaged in the production of New Year woodblock prints that were sold across the country.

Yangliuqing New Year woodblock prints are known for their vivid colors, dramatic designs, radiant festive vibe, greatly varied themes and exquisite block printings. Over centuries, Yangliuqing has witnessed many ups and downs in its New Year woodblock print business. After the founding of New China in 1949, the central and local governments, in order to protect traditional Chinese folk art, supported the town to ensure it continues to produce New Year woodblock prints. As a result, Yangliuqing New Year woodblock prints, as well as New Year paintings produced elsewhere in the country, are still very popular today, especially in the rural areas.

In 2006, the State Council, or the Chinese Cabinet, listed Yangliuqing wood engraving painting as a state intangible cultural heritage.

Translator: ZHANG Ruochen

Reviewer: WANG Jiahui