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Art Inspiration from Lunar New Year

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By Nasheng Liu

February 26, 2021
1:21 pm
Los Angeles, CA

During the Chinese New Year of 1998, I returned to China and was lucky enough to engage in local celebrations and temple festivals in Wugang City, Hunan Province. After years away from my homeland, the rural festivities still made a deep impression on me. Crowding onto the bustling streets filled with multitudes of tourists, I gazed at the dancing dragons and lions, the sounds of exploding fireworks, gongs, and drums startling and deafening me in equal measure. A drum carried on a cart, which was decorated with a brightly colored roof and a handmade dragon and lion, added a strong regional flavor. With the pungent smell of gunpowder in the air, a wide assortment of New Year snacks, and kids and adults smiling with excitement, the merry atmosphere of

Crowding onto the bustling streets filled with multitudes of tourists, I gazed at the dancing dragons and lions, the sounds of exploding fireworks, gongs, and drums startling and deafening me in equal measure. A drum carried on a cart, which was decorated with a brightly colored roof and a handmade dragon and lion, added a strong regional flavor. With the pungent smell of gunpowder in the air, a wide assortment of New Year snacks, and kids and adults smiling with excitement, the merry atmosphere of Chinese New Year filled every corner.

What set Wugang’s temple festival apart from others was the fact that the festival took place on the “temple bridge.” Famous for its ancient temple, the wooden bridge was not only a river crossing but also a place of worship and local festivities.

Old City-Pilgrimage and Praying by Nansheng Liu — Old City-Pilgrimage and Praying. Oil on canvas. ©Nansheng Liu

I squirmed through swarms of people, fascinated by the scenes at every turn. Behind burning incense and rising smoke were faces of devout women. What might they be praying for? Favorable weather and wealth? Good health? Peace and prosperity? Praying for blessings during the Chinese New Year is not only people’s hope for good luck, but also a tradition that has been passed down from generation to generation.

Touched by the New Year festivities, I came to realize that traditions, culture, and customs are the symbols that define a people, and that our traditional culture has been the fuel for sustaining our 5,000 years of history. I see it as a manifestation of truthfulness, compassion, and beauty. This is why I’ve painted my experiences of Chinese New Year to share with my friends and the world.

19 2006 Old Street• Old City Gate ©Nansheng Liu

The ancient town wall of Wugang stands as a symbol of pride for the local people. Over two meters thick and five meters tall, it is constructed from bluestone and is remarkably sturdy. This wall was built during the Ming Dynasty, over 270 years ago, under the rule of King Min, the 14th-generation descendant of Zhu Yuanzhang, who was a marquis of Wugang. The wall is often hailed by locals with the saying, “Dong’an Lions is the treasure of Qing Tower; Wugang’s Wall is the best in the world.” The fortifications are known for their resilience, easy defense, and resistance to attacks. During the Second Sino-Japanese War, it is said that despite days of heavy bombing by the Japanese, the wall stood unharmed. For many years, locals believed that the wall’s strength was due to divine protection, with some viewing it as a blessing from Buddha, safeguarding Wugang from invasion.

However, when the People’s Liberation Army advanced in 1949, it took only two hours for their artillery to destroy the four gates of the Wugang wall. The powerful bombardment reduced the ancient structure to ruins, leaving the once proud walls unrecognizable. Today, the remnants of the destroyed wall still stand as a reminder of the town’s turbulent history.

The oil painting Dragon and Lion Dance shows one of the traditional activities of Wugang people during the Lunar New Year, which is the biggest and grandest traditional festival of Chinese people. ©Nansheng Liu

Despite these constraints, the people’s faith remained steadfast. Even through the harsh years of the Cultural Revolution, the residents of Wugang secretly maintained their worship, filling hidden temples with incense and praying for protection and guidance.

As time went on, however, the traditional way of life in Wugang began to erode. The ancient customs and folk traditions that once defined the community were gradually overtaken by the tide of modernization.