Chinese Auspicious Pictures

The cover design is from a Suzhou embroidery screen of the Qing Dynasty used specially for birthday celebrations. The screen contains a number of traditional Chinese auspicious symbols: The Chinese words for the deer on which the God of Longevity is riding and the bat on the right are homophones for 'official position' and 'happiness.' The Taiji ('great ultimate') symbol on the scroll held by the God is a talisman for warding off disasters and evil spirits, and this symbol, resembling two fish frolicking in water, also stands for annual abundance, as fish and 'surplus' are homophones. The pine tree, bamboo and plum blossoms, called the 'the three winter companions' by the ancients, convey connotations of being perpetually young and full of vitality. The peaches, glossy ganoderma and gourd carded by the boys as well as decorative patterns of ruyi and shoucharacter at the bottom of the picture alt symbolize longevity, happiness, position and contentment. Replete with these symbols, the whole picture is overflowing with a festive atmosphere, perfect for a birthday celebration.