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Updated Saturday, January 10, 2009 9:53 am TWN, By Erika Wang, The China Post



	Hsu Yang's “Syzygy of the Sun, Moon, and the Five Planets” depicts the sun and moon rising together as the five planets line up. The work of art is on display at the National Palace Museum through March 25 as part of the special exhibition “New Year Paintings of the Ching Capital.” (Courtesy of the National Palace Museum) More Photos (2)

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NPM offers 'New Year joy' with special exhibition

This work also serves an important archival function for its realistic depiction of the imperial city in Beijing, including images of the observatory as well as the Tunghua Gate, structures that still stand to this day, Lin pointed out. Festive scenes of people in various types of clothing and using different modes of transportation also reflect the appearance of life in the old city at the time.

Another eye-catching piece is Chen Shu's “Beautiful Scene for the New Year,” a hanging scroll that is a feast to the eyes with its vibrant flower and fruit arrangement. It depicts an assemblage of chimonanthus, camellia, dahlia, and narcissus — all blossoms associated with the first lunar month.

Next to the planter are lily roots, persimmon, spirit fungus, and an apple, the Chinese terms for which are homonyms for the auspicious phrases “Shih Shih Ju Yi (May all things go as you wish)” and “Ping An Ju Yi (May you have peace and everything that you want).” Lin further points out that the flowers are not put in water but are instead planted in soil, a symbol of continuity and permanence.

One of the more surprising pieces is Ting Kuan-peng's “New Year's City in Peace,” which portrays common New Year celebrations in the countryside: firecrackers, drums, and merchants stand alongside peddlers with monkeys, fortunetellers, and puppeteers; while scholars can be seen sitting beneath pine trees drinking tea and chatting.

“It actually takes place at the Yuanmingyuan (Old Summer Palace), with members of the court dressed like commoners to imitate the outside world,” reveals the curator. “Because the emperor was not allowed outside palace gates, court members had to bring the outside world to him.”

Other works such works as “Tapestry-Embroidery of Nine Goats Opening the New Year,” “Children Playing,” and “Activities of the Twelve Months” represent images of joy in the Ching imperial family that also reflect New Year's customs among the ruling Manchus.

The exhibition opened yesterday and runs through March 25. More information is available at the National Palace Museum's Web site: www.npm.gov.tw.

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