Celebrating the Lunar New Year with You | An Appreciation of the Comic Series “One Hundred Scenes of Ancient Customs” (Part 4)

The Year of the Rabbit, Gui Mao, has arrived! All the staff of the Tang Xianzu Memorial Hall in Fuzhou City extend their New Year greetings to you. Wishing you a year filled with abundant wealth, boundless good fortune, and great prosperity!

During the Spring Festival, our museum’s official WeChat account will continue to share the illustrated series “One Hundred Scenes of Ancient Customs,” showcasing the rich cultural essence and historical legacy of Chinese folk traditions, and helping you celebrate the New Year with joy!
 

25. Tomb-Sweeping (Tang Dynasty)

On the hills to the north and south, tombs abound; at Qingming, the rites of remembrance stir the hearts of all.
 

—— Song Dynasty, Gao Qi, “Drinking on Qingming Day”


 

26. Horseback Archery (Tang Dynasty)

Like a crossbow striking a target, every arrow hits the bull’s‑eye.

—— Song Dynasty, Shi Zuzhu, “Three Verses, the First”


 

27. Swinging (Five Dynasties)

At twilight, who is there to play the bili? In the clear weather, where are a few places where swings are tied?

— Tang Dynasty, Bai Juyi, “Many Rains During Illness on the Cold Food Festival”


 

28. Selling Willow Branches (Qing Dynasty)

Day after day, parting with tears and flower‑adorned hairpins, I’ve plucked all the willow branches shrouded in spring’s mist.

— Tang Dynasty, Yu Xuanji, “Breaking the Willow”


 

29. Buddha Bathing Festival (Tang Dynasty)

Buddha-nature is ever pure; where could there be any dust?

—— Tang Hui Neng, “Verse on Bodhi”


 

30. Hanging the Five-Color Thread (Song Dynasty)

Born of five strands, life may endure.

——“Song of Five Days in the Imperial Capital”


 

31. Dyeing Fingernails Red (Song Dynasty)

Whose melody is the tune of the dongxiao? The western river flows, and the moon hangs half‑way down.
 

Fingernails painted with delicate red lacquer, in a golden basin at night she pounds the marigold petals.

——Yuan Dynasty, Zheng Kui’s Wife, “Autumn Day”


 

32. Archery with a Willow Branch (Liao)

Drawing the carved bow as full as the moon, all the willows bend askew in the wind.

— Ming Dynasty, Wang Ying, “On the Dragon Boat Festival, a Gift of Archery on Willows”