Minneapolis Institute of Art

Magpies with Plum Blossom

Zhang Feng

Date

17th century

Medium

Ink and color on silk

Department

Asian Art

Institution

Minneapolis Institute of Art

Birds could convey good wishes and greetings through the puns on their names, which conjure up verbal associations with lucky ideas. Xique (magpie), for instance, is an auspicious bird whose caw heralds the approach of good fortune. Its name in Chinese forms a pun on the word xie (happiness and joy.). Together with the plum blossom, a flower blooming in late winter and representing renewal and heralding spring, the composition expresses a good wish: Magpies herald the arrival of the spring ( xique baochun ). China, Asia

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