The exhibition "Welcoming the Loong Year - Chinese Loong in Cultural Relics Special Exhibition" is currently being held at the China Millennium Monument, featuring 245 precious folk art collections about the theme "Where There's a Loong, There's Spirit." Through mediums such as wood carving, painting, masks, shadow puppets, and embroidery, the exhibition guides the audience to understand the profound meanings attributed to the Loong in the long process of cultural heritage and its close connection to human life.
The Loong is the only mythical creature among the twelve Chinese Zodiacs, existing solely through imagination. However, using it as a clue allows a glimpse into China's cultural roots and the spiritual world of its people. "The image of the Loong embodies the Chinese people's expectations for an ideal personality," explained Yan Xinyuan, the chief curator of the exhibition. Represented by the antlers of a deer, the scales of a fish, the claws of an eagle, and the face of a horse, the Loong signifies its ability to connect heaven and earth. "In the long process of cultural inheritance, the Loong has become a symbol for the Chinese people and a mascot that brings good luck."
An ancient wooden carved window, filled with auspicious wishes, serves as an example. The starting point of the wood carving pattern is a warding-off-evil sword. The sword is entwined with a Loong, where the upper body of the Loong forms the character "Fu" (blessing) as its lower body transforms into a ribbon, symbolizing good wishes for happiness, prosperity, longevity, and joy. "This beautiful aspiration is presented through the artistic labor of people, manifested in tangible objects through the craftsmanship and conceptualization of artisans, carrying both concrete and abstract thoughts. The combination of concreteness and abstraction is precisely the charm of Chinese folk art," said Yan Xinyuan, expressing the hope that every family visiting the exhibition can feel the cultural inheritance through these auspicious objects.
From Loongs on jade artifacts from the Stone Age to Loongs on long weapons like halberds, and from Loong-shaped decorations exclusive to emperors to sacred Loongs on shrines filled with divinity, this symbol of romantic imagination has been a constant companion to people. Many exhibited items reveal traces of the Loong accompanying people in their production and daily life. "For example, the fish-transformed Loong image in shadow puppets symbolizes people's aspirations to rise from the lower class to a higher one."
Numerous exhibits showcase the creativity and aesthetic sense of Chinese folk artists. For instance, the Yongzhou Qiangong Bed displays the courage of folk artists to challenge the fragility of materials. The hollow wood carvings, reaching up to five or even six layers, conceal Loongs, tigers, and other fierce beasts. On the rest of the Loong-themed wood carvings on display, the images of Loongs are humble and cute. Those used for the front of boats convey a dynamic sense of riding the wind, while those on the ridges of roofs express wishes to avoid fire as they navigate through lotus leaves. Masks used for performances, with prominently highlighted Loong eyes, convey the extraordinary power of being able to see far distances. In addition, large-scale embroidered works, with astonishing color contrasts and gradients, demonstrate a mastery of artistic control.
The exhibition has developed a series of derivative products based on the Loong theme. Loongs, which were once exclusive to emperors and seen on shrines, have now entered the daily lives of ordinary people. They appear on cups and dishes, bringing a fashionable expression to tea gatherings, or revealing warm and friendly smiles as they blend into children's clothing and accessories.
The exhibition will run until January 7, 2024, with the museum closed every Monday.
Translator: LIU Jin
Editor: ZHOU Huilin
