Learning guide by Chinese Paper Cut
Good livelihood & prosperity
Where the meaning comes from
The Taiwan dictionary of folk objects records this wordplay and also notes the deer’s association with longevity. Companions matter: a deer with a bat can combine wishes for good fortune and prosperity. A deer alone does not express every possible combination.
Reading these patterns
The standing deer, bird-and-deer square and hanging deer panel all contain a recognizable deer. We connect them to this general motif; we do not claim that the unknown designers intended a particular historical formula.
Patterns with this motif
Explore different designs with the same motif. The interpretation concerns the recognizable symbol; surrounding ornaments may simply be decorative.
