11 natural objects drawn in the 'Sipjangsaengdo' to pray for health and longevity

▲ This photo, provided by the National Palace Museum of Korea, shows Sipjangsaengdo. (PHOTO NOT FOR SALE) (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Apr. 4 (Yonhap) -- Sipjangsaengdo (十長生圖, paintings of the ten longevity symbols), is a Korean traditional painting depicting nature that is thought to exist forever or to live a long time.

Among the ten longevity symbols, the sun, mountain, water, stone, cloud, pine tree, fireweed, turtle, crane and deer are included. However, these ten symbols are not necessarily included in the ten longevity.

On the 4th, the National Palace Museum of Korea announced that it was selected as "April's Curator's Recommended Royal Relic," and 11 natural objects were displayed on the 8-panel folding screen. From the existing Ten Symbols of Longevity, except for the bullcho (mushroom-of-immortality), peaches and the herb of eternal youth were additionally drawn.

"Sipjangsaengdo isn't necessarily drawn with 10 objects just like its name suggests." Said an official from the National Palace Museum. "The tradition of Sipjangsaengdo passed down from the Goryeo Dynasty to the Joseon Dynasty."

The official added, "Sipjangsaengdo created an ideal world where the landscape and the animals harmonize perfectly along with the rich and colorful colors that makes a surreal atmosphere."

The folding screen of the Sipjangsaengdo was placed behind important figures like the queen and the crown prince. It was also painted on the windows that decorate the interior of the palace.

The artwork selected as the Relic of the Month was produced by a painter who was in charge of painting gardens and is evaluated for its excellent screen arrangement and coloring skills.

The National Palace Museum of Korea will be under facility construction for a month from the 4th, and only a video description of the Sipjangsaengdo will be released in the website first. The relics will be open from the 24th.

(This article is translated from Korean to English by Haemin Kim.) 

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