Shuihan Style Penjing
The third of the three main penjing styles is called shuihan penjing. Shuihan penjing stands out from other forms of penjing in a few ways and may be the most difficult and intricate of all styles. Read on to learn more.
Shuihan Penjing Depicts Landscapes
The defining characteristic of shuihan penjing is that this style depicts entire landscapes in miniature form. Other penjing styles often focus on a single plant or a small landscape scene. By contrast, shuihan displays show larger landscapes in great detail.
Shuihan Penjing Uses Trees, Rocks, and Water
The basic elements you’ll find in shuihan penjing are similar to those found in other styles. Shuihan penjing uses miniature trees, rocks, and water as its main elements. Shuihan penjing artists arrange these elements to represent large naturalistic areas. Along with those essential elements, shuihan penjing may also incorporate other smaller elements to increase the level of realism and detail of the display.
Shuihan Penjing Can Include Figurines
Figurines are often included in shuihan penjing to give the display a greater sense of realism and a specific character. These figurines may depict people, animals, buildings, or other structures. The presence of these figurines is another way that shuihan penjing separates itself from other styles. Those figurines also give the artist a greater ability to tell specific stories through their penjing art.
Shuihan Penjing Can Represent Abstract Narratives
The final defining feature of shuihan penjing is that it can be a way of telling specific stories or abstract narratives. Throughout the history of penjing, art has held a strong connection with spiritual practices such as Daoism. As such, penjing became a way of representing ideas and beliefs associated with those spiritual practices. While shuihan penjing can tell many different narratives, it often represents concepts such as the balance between opposing forces, similar to the yin-yang concept.