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The Phoenix and Immortal Symbols in Chinese Antique Furniture
John H. Roger: Hi! I’m John.
YuQinq Zhao: I’m YuQinq.
John H. Rogers: And we’re here today to talk about some of the magnificent symbols that are found in Chinese architecture, furniture, and even the household items. Today we have a pair of carvings that were found in an over 200 year old house that was demolished. And these carvings were rescued. And thank heaven they were because they’re absolutely beautifully, beautifully done. But some of their original paints are gone. YuQinq, do you want to tell us about the meaning of these four Gods?
YuQinq Zhao: Sure. These are the God of good fortune, God of longevity, God of ranking and God of happiness. Let me put the one down and this is the God of ranking. He wears an Alfisols hat. It has a--which is the wish granted wand in his hand and he’s God of ranking and this is God of longevity he has a protruding forehead and he has a pitch which also means longevity in his hand. He uses a walking stick which means he’s an old guy and he lives really, really long and long times.
This is the God of good fortune. He is just like a retired officer and this is the God of happiness he is a happy boy, you can see it obviously.
John H. Rogers: Two more fragments we want to show you and this is a pair of phoenixes. Again please look at how beautifully carved they are, both on the sides and on the front. Again, a very heavy wood taken from a house that was destroyed but a house that’s over 200 years old. YuQinq do you want to tell us about the meaning and I’m going to put my down because it’s very, very heavy.
YuQinq Zhao: A pair of phoenix means happiness especially on this one. It has more meanings than just happiness. There, you would see ini detail, it’s a carving photo there are two scrolls in the phoenix mouth and this means knowledge as well besides happiness. And plus it’s really beautifully carved.
John H. Rogers: So you can see how when you know something about what the symbols mean. It connects such richness to the things that you can enjoy in your own home. Thank you so much.
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