Exhibition "Best Wishes from the Auspicious Dog - Celebrating the Spring Festival in Museum" was displayed at the Capital Museum from February 8, 2018 - March 18, 2018 in Beijing.

Here is the review and the introduction:

Exhibition Theme: "Best Wishes from the Auspicious Dog", as part of the series of exhibitions titled "Celebrating the Spring Festival in Museum", has three objectives, the first being to introduce Chinese Zodiac culture. 

The exhibition, held at the turn of every year, will help the audience to understand the profound connotations, wisdom and historical culture of the Chinese Zodiac animals through displays and explanations of relevant relics. 

Second, taking the relationship between dogs and humans as the main theme and combining cultural relics, pictures and historical facts, the exhibition objectively and vividly presents the audience with the assistance that dogs have given us throughout history; their significance and the trust and dependence formed in the process of long-term coexistence, and their cultural image that symbolizes peace and fortune. Moreover, it also displays dogs' brave, loyal and responsible characters. In doing so, we aim to advocate to the audience the love of our human partners and their awareness of the importance of the equal and harmonious relationship between humans and animals, so that the audience will understand why protecting animals means also protecting us human beings. 

Third, it is intended to demonstrate a dogs' auspicious and festival folk culture. Integrating the Chinese Zodiac culture and Chinese Spring Festival culture, it is imbued with the element of "Luck" no matter its content or form, because "Luck" not only represents Chinese people's mindset of "Praying for blessing", but also embodies our wish for the audience to have a lucky new year.

Preface

Legend has it that dogs came to protect us at god's will, so they are endowed with a loyal, courageous, wild and kind temperament. In our long-standing relationship, humans have formed an intimate partnership with dogs. They help us pursue prey, guard our houses and herds and accompany us in our lives. Over the long course of interactions, humans have felt dogs' dedication, and developed respect for their characters. Let's gain a better understanding of dogs at our exhibition in the new year!  

1. Auspicious Zodiac

The Chinese Zodiac cultural system, comprising of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches and twelve animal images, is the essence of the law of temporal and spatial changes in the universe by Chinese ancestors, and reflects humans' wisdom in understanding the objective world. The later generations had further developed and enriched it with various cultural elements and their faith which transcends reality. 

The circulation of Heavenly Stems and Earthly Branches merges into the philosophical concept of the theory of the Five Elements of Yin and Yang and possesses the auspicious meanings of chasing evil. Each vivid animal of the Zodiac also becomes a mascot for one of the twelve years and is placed with people's good wishes. For thousands of years, people have experienced the passing of years through the exchange of Zodiac signs. They have also prayed for good fortune and stability by giving them auspicious meaning. As a result, the system is no longer a way of counting years, but has become a wonderful cultural existence in Chinese people's lives.

2. Dog the Guardian of Safety

According to the current archaeological findings, dogs were the earliest animals domesticated by human beings in China, as early as ten thousand years ago. As humans domesticated dogs, they gained a lot of experience, which laid the foundation for the domestication of more farm animals. This is highly significant in the development of human civilization. In the long-term relationship between humans and dogs, dogs have always been a good helper and loyal company to our life and work. They provide us access to more resources and better living conditions through their alertness and courage; they show their fidelity through protecting our houses and fruits of labor; they stay with their masters so that they will not feel lonely. All in all, dogs are loyal guardians of family wealth and life.  

3.  Jade Pendant Reward

"You gave me a papaya while I gave you a jade pendant in return. It is for being friends forever. You gave me a peach while I gave you a beautiful stone in return. It is for being friends forever. You gave me a plum while I gave you a black gem in return. It is for being friends forever."

These are lines from The Book of Songs, which indicates that humans value relationships and uphold righteousness. Historically, dogs have provided tremendous help to mankind's production and life. People appreciate their dedication, respect their courage and loyalty, and as a way of being kind to partners and cherishing their friendship, many regions and nations have formed cultural customs of loving and respecting dogs. In the auspicious meaning of traditional Chinese culture, dogs have also become a symbol of peace, wealth and joy in people's lives.

Epilogue

Humans are never alone in the world. Mountains, rivers, followers, the sky, birds and beasts are all gifts from heaven. Dear friends, you have accompanied us for ten thousand years, we will cherish your company and never part with you! Fidelity and responsibility are great virtues, gratitude and care are splendors of human characters. Beings are all equal. A harmonious world requires the efforts of all. We wish we can befriend the animals living in the same world as us forever!

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