Dream Beneath Fortune Above – Cardboard Frame

The design is inspired by The Classic of Mountains and Seas (Shan Hai Jing), an ancient Chinese text and that plays a significant role in Chinese mythology, geography, and folklore. Compiled over several centuries, likely before the Han Dynasty (202 BCE – 220 CE), it is a collection of descriptions of mythical lands, strange creatures, gods, and legends, as well as early geographical and cosmological knowledge.

The paper carving light features two characters from the text. The character at the bottom is Ran Yi fish, while the character at the top is Bai Ze. Here are the stories as narrated in the Classic：

“Ran Yi fish has the body of a fish, the head of a snake, six legs, and eyes like a horse’s ears. Eating it prevents nightmares and wards off misfortune.” This mythical creature symbolizes the essence of protection and is regarded as a guardian of restful sleep in Chinese mythology.

“In the East Wang Mountain, there is a beast called Bai Ze, an auspicious beast in Chinese Chinese mythology. Bai Ze can speak, communicate with all living things, and understand the affairs of ghosts and gods. It only appears to virtuous rulers and is believed to eliminate all evil forces.” Historical records describe Bai Ze in different ways:
The History of Yuan: Bai Ze has the head of a tiger, red fur, and horns, with the body of a dragon.
The Ming Rituals: Bai Ze has the head of a dragon, green hair, and horns, with four legs and is capable of flying.

This light is designed around these two mythical characters, symbolizing the wish for peaceful days and restful nights. It serves as a reminder of ancient wisdom and the enduring power of protection and harmony.