HOME | DD
puimun β Climbing the Dragon Gate
Published: 2011-02-13 06:42:38 +0000 UTC; Views: 25648; Favourites: 1508; Downloads: 1444
Redirect to original
Description
Medium: WatercolorsSize: 12x17 inches
Prints and Original available [link]
Detail closeup views [link]
Original sketch available [link]
Related blog posts: [link] and [link]
In Chinese and Japanese legend the lowly carp spends its life trying to swim up the Yellow River. At the source of the river is a great roaring waterfall. If the koi were able to swim up that waterfall, it would be rewarded and transformed into a dragon. Thus, the koi is a symbol of personal advancement, perseverance, determination in the face of impossible obstacles, and inner strength. The journey of the carp to become a dragon was a metaphor for young scholars passing the Chinese state exams and become a mandarin.
Related content
Comments: 123
This is fantastic!, the most beautiful watercolour paintings i have seen. luv the water colour with watercolors! ^-^ nice job!
π: 0 β©: 0
absolutely amazing illustration of an idea :'3 thanx for sharing!
π: 0 β©: 0
your art is really amazing and beautiful
π: 0 β©: 0
God this is just amazing. Amazing. Your art never ceases to leave me in awe. I have this legend tattooed on me.
π: 0 β©: 0
At this point I just start repeating myself when I comment on your work. Yet another gorgeous piece! Love the texture and rendering of the water and how it conforms and accents the fluidity of the dragon's form.
π: 0 β©: 0
I like the contrast between the red dragon swimming in blue-green water and the fluid composition.
π: 0 β©: 0
I love this. I tried to add it to favorites so fast that I didn't even realize it was already in my favorites and it removed it.
π: 0 β©: 0
Would it be ok to use this drawing as the icon for a group I am setting up for eastern dragon art? Full reference would be givven in the group information.
π: 0 β©: 1
Please indicate "copyright Stephanie Pui-Mun Law, [link] "
π: 0 β©: 1
Wow. I think I like the little bits of mythology you base your art on more than the art, or maybe your art just compliments the myth so well...
π: 0 β©: 0
My dadΒ΄s always telling me this story when I donΒ΄t do my homeworks.
But I love this, itΒ΄s so dreamy and mezmerizing.
π: 0 β©: 0
lovely absulutly lovely
ive always been a big fan of ur painting and ur style
but somehow i think this one toped ur ussual level a bit. i love it
π: 0 β©: 0
The perspective and colors really draw the eye in, the mood is both wild and yet peaceful, very lovely work,
π: 0 β©: 0
I am truly humbled by your use of the wonderful medium that is watercolour. Spectacular.
π: 0 β©: 0
You truly captured a lot of color in this wonderful piece. 
π: 0 β©: 0
Your watercolors are very good 
π: 0 β©: 0
Amazing ;-; I wish I could see it in person <3
π: 0 β©: 0
Such incredible motion in this piece! Beautiful and inspiring as always.
π: 0 β©: 0
Nice composition - and getting that kind of richness with watercolor is awesome.
π: 0 β©: 0
you really never fail..this is awesome!!!..
π: 0 β©: 0
Wow!!! So very beautiful! You are so talent and your work is amazing!
π: 0 β©: 0
Really beautiful... I love your art!
Recently bought a beautiful Astronomic Calendar with your art
π: 0 β©: 0
In Vietnamese we have same legend, maybe it from Chineses.
π: 0 β©: 0
I love the movement of the water. It reminds me of swimming in the ocean when you can't touch the bottom and striving to keep your head above the water.
π: 0 β©: 0
A truly masterful expression of the story, with your own amazing beauty to the art.
π: 0 β©: 0
Nice. You are my art idol! *hug* I strive to do such lovely detail like you! Woot! Koi party!
π: 0 β©: 0
Magikarp evolves into Gyarados! Beautiful painting!
π: 0 β©: 1
You make me happy. High five!
π: 0 β©: 1
Your artwork is always so beautiful.
π: 0 β©: 0
Steph, cant say anything new: just I LOVE it again!
π: 0 β©: 0
I've heard of this story before. And we have a painting of carps trying to swim up the Yellow River. But I think you've captured the whole thing perfectly.
π: 0 β©: 0
| Next =>