Vase decorated with auspicious animals

An item at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The five pairs of birds on this vase stand for the five basic relationships (wulun 五倫) in premodern Chinese society. Phoenixes on perforated rocks near magnolia trees symbolize the relationship between ruler and official. Cranes to the left of them represent father and son. Mandarin ducks swimming by lotuses in the pond signal husband and wife. Two wagtails resting atop the magnolia trees stand for siblings, and orioles in flight evoke friendship.

Asian Art

An exhibit at Metropolitan Museum of Art

The Met's collection of Asian art—more than 35,000 objects, ranging in date from the third millennium B.C. to the twenty-first century—is one of the largest and most comprehensive in the world. Each of the many civilizations of Asia is represented by outstanding works, providing an unrivaled experience of the artistic traditions of nearly half the world.

Metropolitan Museum of Art