As the year 2018 passed fast, Library and Information Center held an exhibition on the Chinese Traditional Door-god, Calligraphy and Paintings named ‘Keeping the past to inspire the future’. The exhibition was held at the corridor between library 2nd floor and learning & teaching building B. The various works are from Zhejiang university library collection, including 8 door-gods, 23 HD recovered painting and calligraphy works. The door gods were painted by neat and delicate lines, and rubbing works reflect the traditional techniques.
Wang Anshi, a famous poet in Song dynasty has a poem saying that with an old year passing, we should change the Taofu to welcome the new year. Tao fu is the predecessor of door god. There is a long history of the door-god, the earliest one can be traced back to the Zhou Dynasty. Nowadays, on New Year's day, thousands of Chinese families hang pictures of door gods on their doors to protect their family from evil spirits and to pray for good luck in the coming year.
This activity mainly displays four pairs of door god paintings. They are Qin Shubao Yuchi Gong, Daizishangchao, wuzidenke, and Hangzhou civilian door god.
Qin Shubao and Yuchi Gong are two main generals of the emperor Tang taizong, they rendered outstanding service at the beginning of Tang dynasty.
Daizishangchao, Wuzidenke, and Hangzhou civilian door gods were ancient people's good wishes for their children.
The displayed 23 HD paintings and calligraphy works were from Mi Fu, Huang Tingjian, Wu Changshuo, Tang Bohu, Wen Zhengming and other masters of art. In China, paintings and calligraphys are inseparable. Black and white ink painting with overlapping shades and layers of rendering often contains broad and strong emotions of the artist.
Zhejiang university library teacher Han Songtao explained the story behind the exhibits
Whether the door gods, Chinese painting and calligraphy works, or the binding activities of ancient books, we hope that the exhibition will enable teachers and students to appreciate the beauty of Chinese painting and calligraphy, feel the depth of Chinese culture, and explore its sources and roots. At the same time, we also hope that this activity provided all the teachers and students a relax time during the busy work and study.
Before the Chinese new year, positivity will be continued, hopes will be everywhere. New year brings new hope, new hope brings new happiness, years after years. We hope this exhibition not only promote cultural exchanges between China and other countries, but also send sincere New Year's greetings to everyone in Zhejiang university!
Library and Information Center
2019.1.15