A Thousand-Year Romance with the Ginkgo – Nanjing Yunjin

This work is inspired by the ancient architectural complexes of the Ming and Qing dynasties in China, with the representative ginkgo leaves of Nanjing’s Chaotian Palace as the main subject, reflecting the different beauties of the red walls and yellow tiles in different seasons. While the autumnal color palette is unified, the ginkgo leaves are woven with gold thread to highlight the subject and add a sense of depth to the image, conveying the feeling of a tree full of golden splendor. The ginkgo is a symbol of love, a sign of blessings and longevity, and also represents resilience and composure.

Yunjin, from the moment of its creation, was enjoyed by the nobility and carries a strong royal and noble temperament. It was the exclusive use for the dragon robes and ceremonial attire of the royal families during the Yuan, Ming, and Qing dynasties, as well as the clothing for the wives of high-ranking officials. It was specially provided for the use of the imperial court or as a reward for meritorious subjects.