Myriad Spirits of the Three Realms and Ten Directions in Heaven and on Earth Item Number: 1090/4 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Print depicting nine male figures behind an orange tablet on a red lotus pedestal with a yaksha at either side. The top central figure, the Jade Emperor has a white and pink face that has a red mouth, a small black goatee, a long black moustache, and a black beard in strands with a red circle behind his head; behind him are two dragons. At either side, there is a young white and pink faced male attendant, holding a fan, wearing blue clothing to his right and green clothing to his left. In front of the attendants on the left is the Star Lord of Little Dipper with a long moustache, wearing a lotus-shaped headdress; on the right is the Star Lord of Big Dipper, who has three eyes and a red moustache. Below them are the Four Duty Guardians: the Guardian of Hour (shizh; 時值), the Guardian of Day (rishi; 日值), the Guardian of Month (yuezhi; 月值), and the Guardian of Year (nianzhi; 年值). Below them stands a half-naked yaksha on each side. The yaksha at the left side has yellow skin while the yaksha at the right side has green skin. In the middle of the picture is a lotus-based tablet with ten golden characters, 天地三界十方萬靈眞宰, “Myriad spirits of the three realms and ten directions in Heaven and on Earth,” referring to the gods in this print. Sculpted railings and stone stairs, symbolizing the Palace of Heaven appear at the bottom of the print. Background is simply the plain paper. The print is vertically rectangular.
History Of Use
Print titled: Tian di san jie shi fang wan ling zhen zai (天地三界十方万灵真宰; Myriad Spirits of the Three Realms and Ten Directions in Heaven and on Earth). Such prints depicting gods are usually displayed during the Chinese Spring Festival (春节) or Lunar New Year. Such prints are thus known as nianhua (年画, new year pictures). This particular print functions as a paper tablet to be displayed on the table of heaven and earth for worshipping the gods during the New Year.
Narrative
This set of prints (1090/1-13) was collected by Abbie Lyon Sharman, the sister of the donor’s grandmother, Sophia Lyon Fahs.
Iconographic Meaning
The Jade Emperor and the Star Lord of Little Dipper and the Star Lord of Big Dipper (also the North and South Star Lord) represent the celestial realm. The Four Duty Guardians facilitate the connection between the celestial and human realms. The two yakshas represent the underground realm. These three realms (三界) together constitute the “Myriad spirits of the three realms and ten directions in heaven and on earth.”
Item History
- Made in Yangliuqing, Tianjin, China during 1920
- Collected during 1920
- Owned by Brenda Beck before December 20, 1985
- Received from Brenda Beck (Donor) on December 20, 1985
What
- Name
- Myriad Spirits of the Three Realms and Ten Directions in Heaven and on Earth
- Identification Number
- 1090/4
- Type of Item
- Overall
- height 38.0 cm, width 26.1 cm, depth 0.1 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Brenda Beck
- Received from
- Brenda Beck (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Yangliuqing, Tianjin, China
When
- Creation Date
- during 1920
- Collection Date
- during 1920
- Ownership Date
- before December 20, 1985
- Acquisition Date
- on December 20, 1985
Other
- Item Classes
- works on paper
- Condition
- good
- Accession Number
- 1090/0004