The centre of this large dish is painted with a carp leaping from waves, while the flattened rim is decorated with the various auspicious emblems and peony sprays. In Chinese art and culture, the leaping carp represents determination and accomplishment as it is associated with the passing of the civil service examinations. The imagery stems from a traditional Chinese belief that carps which swim upstream in the Yellow River and leap successfully across the rapids at Dragon’s Gate are transformed into dragons.
