This is a Taoist Dragon Scroll of the Yao People (or the Iu Mien People, a sub-set of the Yao people) of Southern China, Thailand, Laos and North Vietnam. The Scroll Painting serves as a Bridge that connects this world with the supernatural worlds. From the left are two acolytes and two banner bearers welcoming the procession, and the inscription in Chinese "Welcome to the Emperor", or in this case Honoured Guest or Friend. Peasant organisations such as "Heaven and Earth Committees" would use it to welcome the leader of their alliance and honorable guests. At the head are a pair of mace bearing demons, Tai Wei on a White Horse leads the procession, which includes twelve immortal Maidens, ten Sword Brandishing Celestial Worthies with the rear brought up by an Elephant commanded by another Sword Brandishing Worthy.
Dragon Bridge Scroll of the Mien or Yao People
This material is held atEdinburgh University Library Heritage Collections
- Reference
- GB 237 Coll-1977
- Dates of Creation
- late Qing (c 1900)
- Language of Material
- Chinese
- Physical Description
- 343 x 25 cm. 1 scroll in custom box343 x 25 cm. Painted on cloth, mounted on paper sheets, the inscription at the beginning is a little worn and rubbed, preserved on a solander case.
Scope and Content
Access Information
Open. Please contact the repository in advance.
Acquisition Information
Purchased in June 2019. Accession no SC-Acc-2020-0025.
Archivist's Note
Catalogued by Aline Brodin in July 2020, using information from the seller.