In a Chinese linguistic context, the ox is a symbol of diligence, dedication, progress, and strength. For example, a selfless commitment to the good of the people is represented by ruziniu, or “a willing ox to serve the children”. The animal holds a special place in Chinese culture, and, through the nation’s history, has been venerated by politicians, scholars, and artists alike.

Animals have always been a focus of interest for artists, constituting a major genre of Chinese ancient painting. Eminent artists are usually known for portraying a specific creature such as horses, cats, dogs, or fish. When it comes to depicting cattle, there is one artwork that stands above all others.

Today, we are going to talk about a famous painting from the Tang period called Five Oxen that is not only China’s earliest surviving painting on paper but also has its own backstory of political intrigue and intermittent homelessness.