Qilin Delivering Sons

Accession Number
2015/2.171

Title
Qilin Delivering Sons

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
19th-20th century

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
19 1/2 in x 11 1/2 in (49.53 cm x 29.21 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Sharlynn and Andrew Circo, in memory of Sotokichi Katsuizumi

Subject matter
Three figures are riding on an animal while holding an umbrella. This animal is known as Qilin, a mythical hoofed animal with dragon-like features, also sometimes known as a Chinese unicorn. The Qilin is supposedly a gatekeeper that guarded a fairy's cave in the mountains. This animal is known as a symbol to provide prosperity or serenity, and when it has babies on the back, such as this image, it is bringing extraordinary children from heaven to parents. 

Physical Description
Image of three elaborately dressed figures riding an animal to the right with an umbrella above them. One larger/ older figure is in the middle with a younger/ smaller figure to the left and an even smaller/ younger figure to the right. 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
children (people by age group)
human figures (visual works)
myths
qilin
umbrellas
unicorns

& Author Notes

All Rights Reserved