Often used to illustrate Vietnamese New Year, Ðông Hồ paintings are bright, witty riffs on society and human desire. The traditional themes of Đông Hồ painting and woodblock prints are good luck signs, historical figures, folk allegories, popular stories, and social commentaries. In a similar way to Mexican calaveras, Ðông Hồ painting lampoon the mighty and celebrate the everyday.
Đám cưới chuột (Rat’s wedding), a popular example of a Đông Hồ painting
Good luck wish: Cá chép (Carp)
Dong Ho paintings are traced back to Dong Ho Village in Bac Ninh Province. Located 30-40 km from Hanoi, Dong Ho uses natural materials, such as dó paper and raw, coloured pigments. The paper is made from scallop shells, which is then mixed with a mixture of glutinous rice flour, and plain rice or tapioca.
Picking Coconuts (left); Jealousy
Folk allegory: Thầy đồ Cóc (Frog teacher)
Everyday activities: Đấu vật (Wrestling)
Good luck wish: Gà đàn (Chicken)
5 ⁄ 12 More details Good luck wish: Lợn âm dương (Yin-yang pig)
We think these images make lovely and unusual prints – so you can now buy them in the shop.