This print depicts a Military Door God with five children. The children represent the five talented official sons of Dou Yujun (窦禹钧), who lived in the Five Dynasties period. As depicted, the middle child in a civil official robe rides a Qilin (麒麟). This signifies that a successful scholar will be bestowed upon the family by the mythical beast. The boy in armour holds a ‘ruyi’ (如意), or an ‘as you wish’ sceptre, and is envisaged to be a general. Another one holds a coral branch, a symbol of longevity. Such ‘nianhua’ are not only meant for protection but also to invoke an abundance of blessings.This print was produced in Taohuawu, a village in Suzhou province in China famous for its New Year prints.
