Ceremonial Paintings
These rare Taoist ceremonial paintings are known as mien fang and are considered to be ‘abodes of the Gods’. They depict the pantheon of twenty Taoist divinities, who the Iu Mien Yao people of northern Thailand believe oversee all worldly affairs. Once a painting is completed, the appropriate God is ceremonially invited to dwell within the painting.
The Iu Mien Yao people display these sacred images during funerals, ordinations, initiations and harvests. The paintings are accompanied by a long, narrow scroll known as ‘The Dragon Bridge of the Great Tao’ that assists the soul on its journey from earth to heaven, following death. Headresses depicting the Gods are worn by priests when officiating at ceremonies.
 |
|
Ceremonial painting of To Ta –One of the Three Pure Ones 1845 late Ch’ing Dynasty Rice paper, gouache and bamboo Iu Mien Yao People, Quxi, Guangdong Province, China 1555mm x 555mm IND 01476.10 |
Ceremonial painting of Heng Fei - Pantheon of Taoist Gods and Divinities 1845 late Ch’ing Dynasty Rice paper, gouache and bamboo Iu Mien Yao People, Quxi, Guangdong Province, China 1180mm x 560mm IND 01476.12 |
 |
 |
| Ceremonial painting of Tsiang T’in Sai - Celestial Master and Founder of Taoism 1845 late Ch’ing Dynasty Rice paper, gouache and bamboo Iu Mien Yao People, Quxi, Guangdong Province, China 227mm x 2720mm IND 01476.2 |
Ceremonial scroll Tom Lo Tsiou - Dragon Bridge of the Great Tao; A Celestial Pageant 1845 late Ch’ing Dynasty Rice paper, gouache and bamboo Iu Mien Yao People, Quxi, Guangdong Province, China 227mm x 2720mm IND 01476.26 |
 |
 |
| Divine Headdress of the T’ai Wai - The High Constable 1845 late Ch’ing Dynasty Rice paper, gouache and bamboo Iu Mien Yao People, Quxi, Guangdong Province, China 216mm x 170mm IND 01476.24 |
Divine Headdress of Yen Si - The Primordial Heavenly Worthy 1845 late Ch’ing Dynasty Rice paper, gouache and bamboo Iu Mien Yao People, Quxi, Guangdong Province, China 225mm x 170mm IND 01476.25 |
 |
|
| Yang Kin Sui Fo Kung Tzo - Liaison Officers of This World and The Waters 1845 late Ch’ing Dynasty Rice paper, gouache and bamboo Iu Mien Yao People, Quxi, Guangdong Province, China 600mm x 305mm IND 01476.20 |
