"Springtime Horses" by Chi-Jen Liu
Symbolism · The Full Collection · Series
HORSES AND RAMS
Horses have carried humans for thousands of years. They have been our means of transportation, our companions in agricultural development, and even charge through battlefields for our sake. Horses are associated with freedom, travel, swiftness, ambition, valor and will power. In feng shui, horses represent success and fulfillment of dreams. On the other hand, rams and sheep have provided clothing and food for humans since ancient times, and they are associated with auspiciousness.
"Five Lucky Horses" by Chi-Jen Liu · Details
Five is considered a lucky number in Chinese tradition because it is associated with "Wu Xing" or the Five Elements, which is the system of interaction of nature's forces, and is used in feng shui, Chinese medicine, astrology and philosophy. In "Five Lucky Horses," horses dash to and fro and play hide-and-seek in the forest. They represent stamina and progress; in feng shui, horse images are often displayed to inspire mental focus and ambition. Red fruits symbolize love and happiness, while mountains and pine trees both represent longevity.
Trees are symbolic of our planet. Chi-Jen Liu paints a colossal tree with equally massive roots to celebrate "chi" or the universal life force that pulses within and around every thing, animate and inanimate. It is fed by a nearby creek and large, ripe, heavy fruits hang from its branches. Like a magnet, giant trees attract animals and provide support for more plants to grow – forming a kind of micro-ecosystem.
“Three Divine Rams and the Montezuma Cypress” by Chi-Jen Liu · Details
The Montezuma Cypress is a famous tree located in Mexico and known as having the largest trunk circumference in the world. It is estimated to be more than 2,000 years old, making it one of the oldest living things on earth. Similarly, pine trees can live for thousands of years – in some cases, over 5,000 years old. For obvious reasons, both the Montezuma Cypress and pine trees are symbolic of longevity and resilience. The golden rams standing by the trees represent the three heavenly blessings of longevity, peace and prosperity.
“Sunny Rams” by Chi-Jen Liu · Details
The word for ram in Chinese is "yang" which sounds like the Chinese word for sun which is "tai-yang." In "Sunny Rams," Chi-Jen Liu states how the three rams represent three suns, and explains: "According to the I-Ching, three suns symbolizes the arrival of massive good luck. In other words: Happiness is on the way!"
“Horses in Fantasy Forest” by Chi-Jen Liu · Details
In Chinese, the number six sounds like the word for “smooth” or “flowing, so the six horses in "Horses of Fantasy Forest" symbolize an effortlessly smooth-flowing life. They gather around the edge of a clear pond which mirrors the blue sky. This is a metaphor for immense wealth because in feng shui, water is a symbol of wealth and the sky is a symbol of infinite potential. Trees blossoming with red flowers indicate spring, the season of renewal, and the palm trees standing tall and bearing fruits symbolize the reaching of one's highest goals.
“Eight Divine Horses at Sunrise” by Chi-Jen Liu · Details
Rising with the sun means to start the day full of energy and ready to achieve great things. The number eight in Chinese is "ba" which is associated with the word "fa," or abundance; thus, eight horses symbolize great prosperity.
In “Eight Divine Horses at Sunrise," horses are scattered throughout the meadow. They represent humans at different stages of life: the small colts are pure and meek, the young adults run about freely, the older ones have found partners, and the mature horses graze quietly. Chi-Jen Liu suggests the passage of time by the way he composes the forest; from right to left, the trees start as saplings, then they reach full height, and eventually settle into hardy trees. This scene symbolizes a prosperous and happy life from beginning to end.
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