The design on the left is a landscape (shan shui, literally meaning “mountains and water”). The yang element is in the hard, vertical mountains, which appear both solid and transparent. As a counterpoint, on the bottom right is the water, which is nurturing and yielding – the yin element.

The yang element is also in the dragon (lung), which is associated with heaven, the emperor, and justice, and which embodies the qualities of loyalty, courage, and strength. The Chinese often consider themselves descendants of the dragon, the dragon being a god embodying the will and ideals of the people. Traditionally dragons are considered governors of rainfalls, with the power to decide where and when to have rain.

There are nine major types of Chinese dragons. The dragon in this painting is a reminder that difficult situations should be viewed as challenges rather than obstacles, that one can successfully overcome difficulties if one takes a balanced attitude towards life. The dragon is above the water, since water, which symbolizes wealth, is something the dragon is able to attract. The pearl in the dragon’s grasp is a symbol of wisdom, which a dragon is always seeking.

According to one legend, every year the carp swim up the Yellow River against a very strong current, to get to the Dragon Gate (the falls of Lung-men). Those fish that succeed in leaping up the treacherous falls are transformed into dragons. The symbolism here is to the literary success of students who had to pass three levels of examination before they could be appointed to official government posts.

The tiny pavilions (t’ing) on the left represent humankind’s place in the universe, balanced between heaven and earth.

The evergreen (pinus) symbolizes longevity, persistence, tenacity, and dignity. Like bamboo, which is an evergreen, the pine tree is tough, and can withstand cold winters and survive for hundreds of years. Both the evergreen and bamboo represent constant and enduring friendship in adversity.

The narcissus (sui sin fah) is said to bring good fortune. Traditionally Chinese keep a blooming narcissus plant in their homes on the lunar New Year for its auspicious symbolism of foretelling a year's prosperity. Chinese also believe the abundance of narcissus in the springtime and the delicate fragrance of the flower epitomizes purity of heart and soul.

The crane has special significance in Chinese iconography also. The long legs represent high-mindedness, nonchalance, and freedom from worldly concerns. Cranes are also known as (xian he) “fairy cranes” (often used specifically for the Manchurian or Red-crowned crane [Grus japonensis]). In Chinese legend, the “fairy crane” is a type of crane ridden by an immortal or sage. The crane is also associated with longevity, since it is known as the constant companion of Shou Lao, the God of Longevity.

The poem, on the upper right, was written by Wang Zhihuan (688-742, Tang dynasty). The poem was taken from the book A Thousand Peaks, Poems from China, by Siyu Liu and Orel Protopopescu, with illustrations by Siyu Liu.

Climbing Stork Tower
White sun sets behind the mountain.
The Yellow River enters ocean.
If you want to stretch your eyes to explore
Another thousand li, climb one story more.

The transliteration and literal translation are as follows:

Deng guan que lou
Bai ri yi shon jin
Huang he ru hai liu
Yu qiong qian li mu
Geng shang yi ceng lou

climb Stork Sparrow Tower
white sun by mountain set
yellow River enter ocean current
want extend thousand li eye
again up one story tower

According to the book’s explanation, “Stork Tower was a three-story building overlooking the Yellow River in Shanxi province in northwest China. According to legend, guan que, a type of stork, used to flock on the tower. The tower was so high that it seemed possible to see the end of the Yellow River over 1,000 li away. Three li equals about one mile.