Correctly identifying figures is crucial to deciphering an obscure story scene. Looking at this featured image, for example, some may think that the two figures in non-specific attires on a dragon and a phoenix are anonymous Daoist immortals. But Dr Yibin Ni would tell you the story otherwise…
Duke Mu of the Qin State (秦穆公, died 621 BCE) was one of the so-called Five Hegemons (五霸 wuba) in the Spring and Autumn Period (770 – 476 BCE) (春秋 chunqiu). He had a daughter named ‘Nongyu (弄玉, meaning Playing …
Continue reading “Xiao Shi’s Playing the Xiao Flute Attracting Phoenixes”
Li Yuan (李渊 566–635 CE) excelled at horse-riding, archery, and calligraphy as a young man. He was to be the future founder (reigned 618–626 CE) of the Tang dynasty (618–907 CE). Miss Dou was exceptionally smart and her father Dou …
Continue reading “Li Yuan shooting the eye of the peacocks on the screen”