Celebrating the Lunar New Year with You | An Appreciation of the Comic Series “One Hundred Illustrations of Ancient Customs” (Part 1)

Profit! During the Spring Festival, our museum’s official WeChat account will continue to share the illustrated series “One Hundred Scenes of Ancient Customs,” presenting the rich cultural heritage of Chinese folk traditions and their enduring legacy.

Historical heritage, Celebrating the Lunar New Year joyfully with you!

Setting Off Firecrackers (Song Dynasty)

Amid the crackling of firecrackers, another year departs; the spring breeze carries warmth into the tosu wine.
 

— Song Dynasty, Wang Anshi, “New Year’s Day”


 

Court Music and Self-Entertainment (Song Dynasty)

The imperial banquet has just begun, with brocades arrayed in splendor, and the court musicians unite to play songs of everlasting joy.
 

——Five Dynasties, He Ning, “One Hundred Palace Poems”


 

Presenting New Year’s Cards (Ming Dynasty)

I seek no meeting, only the courtesy of a formal call; this morning, my humble abode is filled with name cards.
 

I, too, follow others in offering a few humble words; worldly affairs disdain simplicity but not emptiness.

— Ming Dynasty, Wen Zhengming, “New Year’s Greetings”


 

Adorned with Plum Blossom Makeup (Tang Dynasty)

If one were to adorn Princess Shouyang’s brow, the six palaces would vie to emulate her plum-blossom makeup.

— Tang Niuqiao, “Red Rose”


 

Walking Under the Moon (Qing Dynasty)

On the Mid-Autumn Festival, we all burn fragrant incense together, while sisters and neighbors wave their hands in invitation.
 

Hand in hand, we stroll through Mingyue Lane, and, singing as we go, cross the Caiyun Bridge once more.

——Qing Dynasty, Zhou Zongtai, “Gusu Zhuzhi Ci”


 

Bestowal of a Silver Banner (Song Dynasty)

On my way back from court, my sleeves are filled with the fragrance of heaven; atop my head, a silver banner bears a smile for Ah Xian.

— Song Dynasty, Su Shi, “Three Poems in Response to Ziyu’s New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day Rituals at the Official Residence”


 

Whipping the Spring Ox (Ming Dynasty)

Beyond the county gate, men vie for land, their fields brimming with spring silkworms.
 

— Tang Dynasty, Yuan Zhen, “A Spring Day”


 

Lantern Festival (Tang Dynasty)

Moonlight and lamplight fill the imperial capital, while jeweled carriages and ornate palanquins crowd the thoroughfares.
 

— Tang Dynasty, Li Shangyin: “On the Fifteenth Night of the First Month, Hearing That Lanterns Are Lit in the Capital, Yet Unable to Go and See Them” 》