Common Patterns in Folk Ceramics and Their Cultural Symbolism — Qilin Bringing a Son
Decoration on porcelain. In ancient times, the qilin was regarded as an auspicious and rare creature, often described as “as rare as phoenix feathers and qilin horns” to symbolize something exceptionally precious. When congratulating friends or relatives on the birth of a son, it was common to depict the motif of a qilin delivering a child on porcelain, implying wishes for “early birth of a noble son” or “blessings and the addition of a precious child.”
