what's name painting

Name Painting: A Gem of Chinese Traditional Folk Art

Name painting, as the name suggests, is an art form that uses a person's name as the central theme. It ingeniously transforms the strokes of Chinese characters into patterns of flowers, birds, fish, insects, landscapes, or figures, creating a unique and artistic masterpiece. It is a shining gem of Chinese traditional folk art, embodying the wisdom and aesthetic tastes of working people.

The history of name painting can be traced back to "flower-and-bird characters" in ancient China. Originating in the Han Dynasty and flourishing during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, flower-and-bird characters are decorative scripts that replace the strokes of Chinese characters with patterns of flowers, birds, fish, and insects. They were often used in festive celebrations, shop signs, and other occasions. Name painting inherits the essence of flower-and-bird characters and has evolved into a more diverse and innovative art form.