Ceremonial Yao Painting

Ceremonial Painting, 20th century
Yao people, China
Paper, natural pigment and fiber; 45 x 19.5 in
2002.47.30
Gift of Mr. & Mrs. Long Shung and Anne Shih The Yao people live throughout southern China with some populations found throughout northern areas of Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. The Yao practice a form of Taoism, and paintings of the pantheon of divine beings play an essential role in the function of their religious ceremonies. The painting pictured here is just one that makes up a complete set of twenty-four ceremonial Yao Taoist paintings. Three layers of soft brown paper are joined together and attached to round wood supports at each end. Ideally a priest (if available) is commissioned to make each set of paintings which he creates in a purified religious space, and ceremoniously names each divine being after completion. Ceremonial paintings are commissioned by men who desire to ascend into priesthood and owning a set of ceremonial paintings is necessary for this to occur. New sets of paintings are also commissioned by families wishing to replace their old or tattered ones. The entire set of images when hung covers two or three sides of a room with some overlapping occurring. This particular image shows three of the six Marshals whose painted images are hung at each end of every complete set of paintings. The Marshals are protectors who ward of demons and impurity. The large central figure, Marshal Teng, is green in color, has wings hanging from his arms and two tusks that extend from his mouth. He is associated with thunder which he may use to sever demons. The smaller figures below represent Marshal Hsin, a Judge who holds in his arms the Book of Acceptance and Marshal K’ang who is associated with healing the sick and known as being a lover of wine and animals. All images and text under copyright. Please contact Collection Department for permission to use.