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Yan Shou


Yan Shou
Photo Information
Copyright: Hans Spruijt (GreenBaron) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3083 W: 778 N: 9427] (37689)
Genre: Places
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2005-04-10
Categories: Architecture, Artwork
Camera: Minolta Z1
Photo Version: Original Version, Workshop
Travelogue: China 2005
Theme(s): Roofs [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2007-01-06 8:03
Viewed: 867
Points: 38
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
yán shňu..

These Chinese roof ornament can be found al over the country. These ones are pictured at the Forbidden City in Beijing. Luckely you have to point your camera upwards, otherwise all kind of nasty (Chinese) heads were shown on the shot; it was quite crowded I can tell you. You know; you never feel lonely in Beijing...

Nigel Smith and Anneke (Ejtaan) did both an excellent WS on this posting; check here

PS-talk:
- increased contrast
- removed some nasty items (no heads) with clone tool
- cropped
- framed and add text

Chinese imperial roof decoration or roof charms or roof-figures (Pinyin: yán shňu) was only allowed on official buildings of the empire. Chinese roofs are typically of the hip roof type, with small gables. Variant versions are still widespread in Chinese temples and has spread to the rest of East Asia and parts of Southeast Asia.

Along the unions between the roof panels, near the corner, a row of small figures is placed. These are often made of glazed ceramic and form an outward marching procession. Here we see the imperial yellow glaze reserved for the emperor. At the tail of the procession will be an imperial dragon, representing the authority of the state. At the head of the procession will be a man riding a Phoenix, one legend suggests that this represents a minon of the emperor who grew greedy for power and was hanged from the roof gable for treason. Another version of this figurine is an immortal riding a fenghuang-bird or qilin.

The mythical beasts are set to pounce upon the man and devour him should he stray from performing his duties with faithfulness and rectitude. In the illustration at the top there is only one beast; the number of beasts indicating the importance of the duties performed within the building or within the courtyard protected by a gate. The maximum number of beasts is nine, including evil-dispelling bull, courageous goat-bull, wind- and storm-summoning fish, mythical lion, auspicious seahorse, heavenly horse, lion, and chiwen, a son of dragon). The maximum number is seen in the lower image, taken at the Hall of Supreme Harmony. Note the addition of an immortal guardian in front of the dragon holding to a sword like a cane. These examples are found within the Imperial Palace Museum of the Forbidden City, Beijing, China. Other examples can be found on functional structures such as gates and baracks of the Great Wall of China. With the fall of the empire such decorations are now seen on commercial structures and tourist boats. (Retrieved from Wikipedia.com)
macromania, TheMystic, kokos101, ttreen, PierreFrigon, mortcdz, perryhooter, SkyF, cezar62, MLINES, harpya has marked this note useful
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Discussions
ThreadThread Starter Messages Updated
To Ejtaan: Hi AnnekeNigel_Smith 5 01-07 17:26
To PierreFrigon: Santa?GreenBaron 2 01-07 13:54
To TheMystic: Flu...GreenBaron 1 01-06 14:36
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Critiques [Translate]

NICE!
You must have had a cloudy day or something Hans, coz the sky looks quite dull.
You obviously chose to keep the image close to how you made and that's just fine. I also like to keep as close to the "truth" as I can.
It would look rather nice though to have a bit of blue and some cloud up there... ;-)

Cheers,
Anneke

Hi Hans,

Great picture you captured here :). Thanks for sharing with us such an interesting subject :).

TFS,
Jon

  • Great 
  • harpya Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5080 W: 178 N: 5971] (31753)
  • [2007-01-06 10:04]

Hi Hans,

Beautiful visual, I like these details, it captures wonderful, in the details and in the color and sharp.
Beautiful, Beautiful!!!
TFS

Sérgio

  • Great 
  • romior Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 338 W: 66 N: 124] (2520)
  • [2007-01-06 11:13]

Beautiful ornament and good photo Hans.
TFS
Best regards.

  • Great 
  • Suerte Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 527 W: 64 N: 255] (3248)
  • [2007-01-06 12:21]

good details, perfect frame!
tfs

Lovely architectural detail, Hans! Great note!
Neutral sky underscores the detailed sculptural quality of the subject. I like that uncluttered look!
Hope you got over your flu by now, if not, get better soon!
Cheers
Otto

  • Great 
  • ttreen Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1569 W: 118 N: 3553] (14223)
  • [2007-01-06 13:36]

Hi Hans
I love your POV!! and the notes! :)
Another wonderful shot! :)

Tricia

On the thumbnail, it looked like a chinese Santa with his sleigh and reindeers :-)
Very nice capture. Very sharp and clear.
TFS.
Pierre

Hi Hans,
again I'm back after a hard week.
This shot is so beautiful, I loved all that "roof-riders" on the wonderful roofs in the forbidden city. And this shot is showing them so well, thanks.
That gives me the idea to look for my own slides from China, we went there in 1990.
Thanks, bye and greetings
Sabine - wishnugaruda

Hi Hans,

Well framed and really sharp... a great shot. I appreciate the detailed notes.

I also like your method of framing which always adds a professional finish to your pictures.

This makes me feel nearer to my elder brother, who now lives in Beijing.

Regards

Nigel

PS... I have done a quick workshop just for Ejtaan, who wrote the first critique on this one!

Merhaba Hans
Very nice composition. Good shooting.
TFS

Kerem

hello hans!
beautiful shot with excellent details, great note.
tfs
zoran

pt

  • Great 
  • Fons Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1505 W: 1 N: 113] (11405)
  • [2007-01-07 13:28]

Wat zijn die mannen sterk in het uitbeelden vanbange gedrochten

Great details and colours in the ornaments, and even better with the blue sky ;-)
Great spot and realy well taken
Thanks for sharing
Mark

  •      
  • Hitbit Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 549 W: 174 N: 476] (5527)
  • [2007-01-08 4:53]

Mooie detailopname Hans, lekker scherp goed van kleur. Jammer van de lucht een mooie blauwe lucht maakt de foto nmm sterker.

TFS Pim

  • Great 
  • SkyF Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1666 W: 136 N: 1263] (6138)
  • [2007-01-08 8:17]

Hello Hans,
very nice capture full of great detail. POV, crop and sharpness are excellent.
VERry well presented.
Sky

Excellent compo and framing, very nice colours and textures. Great details.
Are these figures made of terracotta ? The material seems familiar to me.
TFS,

Andreea

Hi Hans!
Very good composition,sharpness.I like the contrast between the roof elementa and sky.
Good work.
Cheers.
Cezar

Good team work Guys!

Love the original and Workshops too. Without forgetting the interesting note. Remembering me the great Yanni Concert a few years ago...

Bravo!
Robert

  • Great 
  • MLINES Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1151 W: 90 N: 918] (6359)
  • [2007-02-18 16:25]

Hi Hans. Excellent clear capture showing the intimate ceramics work typical of so many buildings in China. Good colours and excellent notes. Murray.

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