Samite of Everlasting Happiness and Shiny Brightness

Figures on this pieces are visible based on the color variation among blue, red, white, yellow, green and brown by warp threads on a blue foundation. This item is mainly embellished by mountain-shaped patterns, around which scatter motifs of five auspicious animals including tiger, deer, dog, winged animal, etc. A complete phrase can still be seen today, composed of nine seal script Chinese characters “大长乐明光承福受右” meaning being blessed to have everlasting happiness and shiny brightness. Everlasting Happiness and Shiny Brightness were names of palaces in the Han dynasty (202 BC-220 AD) as a matter of fact. Chinese characters alternate with animal motifs, conveying people’s wish for happiness, brightness and immortality.
The motif group of vivid animals shows just a tip of the mysterious oriental culture. The first animal with two horns from the left makes a lively gesture of climbing with its mouth wide open; the second from the left is a deer with antler and two wings walking while its mouth open; the third from the left is the tame dog looking ahead; the fourth from the left is the vividly-shaped auspicious animal looking back while the fifth from the left is also climbing while raising its head and looking back.