Qilin delivering a child
麒麟送子
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This is a legendary story about the birth of Confucius (551 BCE – 479 BCE), the renowned philosopher from ancient China during the Spring and Autumn Period (770 BCE – 475 BCE).
According to The Family History of Confucius (孔子家语), Confucius’ father, Shuliang He (叔梁纥), had nine daughters but no sons from his first marriage. His second marriage produced a son, but the child was born with a foot deformity. During that era, based on the prevailing rites and laws, a man without a healthy male heir risked losing his noble status and being reduced to a commoner. In his later years, Shuliang He entered into a third marriage, and from this union, Kong Qiu (孔丘), later known as Confucius, was born.
Folk legends also surround Confucius’ birth. One popular tale tells of how his mother had an extraordinary dream during her pregnancy. In the dream, a qilin, a mythical creature, appeared at her home, accompanied by heavenly music. The qilin spat out a jade book inscribed with the words: “This child is the seed of a noble but born into an unfortunate time. He can only be a ‘king without a throne.’” The next day, Confucius was born, and thus giving rise to the legend of ‘Qilin delivering a child’. In Chinese folklore, the qilin has come to symbolise benevolence and good fortune, and families of virtuous standing often pray to the qilin for the blessing of offspring.
Literature research by Rachel Ma
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Fig 1: square vase with underglaze blue and overglaze enamelled decoration, Shunzhi period (1644–61), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam
Fig 2: wucai beaker vase, Transitional period, 17th century, courtesy of the Sotheby’s Auction House, Paris, 10 December 2019, Lot 49
Fig 3: wucai baluster jar and cover, Transitional period, circa 1645–1655, courtesy of Christie’s Auction House, New York, 29 Mar 2006, Lot 473
Fig 4: lid of a porcelain box with underglaze blue and overglaze enamelled decoration, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the Glasgow Museums Collection
Fig 5-6: porcelain vase with underglaze blue decoration, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne, Felton Bequest, 1947. Photo: National Gallery of Victoria, Melbourne
Fig 7: wucai porcelain plaque, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of the Palace Museum, Beijing
Fig 8: wucai porcelain jar, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of Princessehof Ceramics Museum, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Fig 9: wucai porcelain pot with cut neck, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of Princessehof Ceramics Museum, Leeuwarden, The Netherlands
Fig 10: wucai porcelain figures, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of Christie’s Auction House, New York, 23 March, 2023, Lot 1065
Fig 11: wucai porcelain ginger jar, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of Adams Auction House, 29 June 2021, Lot 121
Fig 12: famille verte and gilt porcelain kendi, Kangxi period (1662–1722), Qing dynasty, courtesy of Christie’s Auction House, New York, 27 Jan 2014, Lot 353
Fig 13: porcelain tureen and cover, Qianlong period (1736–95), Qing dynasty, courtesy of Cohen & Cohen, Chinese Export Porcelain and Oriental Art (Hit and Myth)
Fig 14: colour woodcut print, late 19th century, courtesy of Philadelphia Museum of Art