「Look at the Picture and Talk about the Painting」Understanding the Five Auspicious Plants and Five Venomous Creatures through an Ancient Painting

The Dragon Boat Festival in ancient times was closely related to the “Five Auspicious Plants” and the “Five Venomous Creatures”.

The specific varieties of the “Five Auspicious Plants of the Mid – Point of Heaven (related to the Dragon Boat Festival)” varied slightly in different regions and dynasties. Generally, they referred to calamus, mugwort, pomegranate flower, garlic bulb, and ixora. In some ancient paintings, loquat or hollyhock were used to replace certain flowers among them. These plants and ingredients, which were in season during the Dragon Boat Festival, possessed both the value of expelling insects and medicinal properties. Their strong fragrance could dispel foul odors and repel insects, serving as a natural remedy for the ancient people to cope with the sweltering and humid summer months. The “Five Venomous Creatures” in traditional folk customs referred to snakes, scorpions, centipedes, geckos, and toads. When the hot and humid season arrived, these creatures became active and were thus regarded by the ancients as symbols of poisonous evil.

Common Dragon Boat Festival – themed paintings often depicted scenes of the confrontation between the Five Auspicious Plants and the Five Venomous Creatures. However, the Qing – dynasty painting “The Five Venomous Creatures Present Auspiciousness” breaks away from this old pattern. In the painting, a strutting tiger holds calamus and a long snake in its mouth, exuding a powerful and vigorous presence. A toad on the tiger’s back grasps the snake’s body and holds a gourd with a pomegranate flower in its arms. At the tiger’s tail, a gecko holds a colorful banner and a long halberd. A centipede flits around the banner, and in front, a scorpion arches its body with its tail raised, presenting a basket full of cherries and seasonal fruits. Beside them, zongzi are scattered around. The Five Venomous Creatures, which should have looked ferocious, are depicted as endearing and charming, creating a humorous and harmonious scene.

All things in the world co – exist and interact with each other. Adapting to nature and conforming to the rhythm of things is the key to long – term existence. This is the Chinese wisdom hidden in the ancient painting. Here, we wish everyone a happy and healthy Dragon Boat Festival, free from the invasion of summer heat and filth, and enjoying peace throughout the four seasons.

That’s all for today’s art – appreciation session. Next time, we’ll make a new pot of tea and continue exploring the world of art together.