Zhang Xian the immortal Shoots the Heavenly Dog

Item number 946/46 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.

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Description

Rolled woodblock print that has also been painted, on paper. The image depicts two figures, Zhang Xian (张仙), the immortal and a child, riding on the back of a pink, green and red qilin (麒麟; a legendary and mythological creature). Zhang Xian has a bow and arrow, pointed up and behind, towards a small black and white heavenly dog (tiangou; 天狗) holding a red ball in front of a white black and blue cloud. With thin wooden bars at top and bottom, the side edges of the paper painted blue. A piece of red twine is attached at the top for hanging.

History Of Use

This picture would usually be displayed during the Chinese Spring Festival (春节) or Lunar New Year. Such pictures are thus known as nianhua (年画, new year pictures). Likely made in late 19th or early 20th century in a traditional Mianzhu (绵竹) painting and printing workshop in Sichuan province (四川).

Iconographic Meaning

Zhang Xian (张仙) is the legendary god of delivering and protecting children. According to legend, Tiangou (天狗; the Heavenly Dog) is said to cause eclipses and guard the gates of heaven. Zhang Xian shoots arrows at Tiangou and deter the creature from devouring the moon or sun.

Item History

Made in Mianzhu, Sichuan, China before 1926
Collected between 1906 and 1926
Owned by Edith Sibley
Owned by D. H. Reed, T. Gordon Reed and G. A. Reed before February 16, 1984
Received from D. H. Reed (Donor), G. A. Reed (Donor) and T. Gordon Reed (Donor) on February 16, 1984