The Return of Mythical Creatures: Imagination Across Centuries

Mythical creatures exhibition
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The Return of Mythical Creatures: Imagination Across Centuries

Explore 133 artefacts at The Palace Museum in Taipei’s exhibition, The Return of Mythical Creatures in Artefacts, showcasing mythical beings from pre-Qin times to the modern era.

The Palace Museum in Taipei presents “The Return of Mythical Creatures in Artefacts”, an exhibition featuring 133 artefacts spanning from pre-Qin antiquity to the modern era. The show is divided into two phases: March 20th–June 7th and June 10th–August 30th.

The exhibition features both the museum’s own collections and loans from institutions such as Beigang Chao-Tian Temple. These artefacts highlight how ancient societies imagined and represented creatures beyond the natural world.

From stone lions guarding temples to fantastical beings in everyday objects, the exhibition explores four central questions: What did mythical creatures look like? What status did they hold? What powers were they believed to have? Where did they appear? Drawing on classical texts, the show traces the origins and transformations of these mysterious creatures over centuries.

Visitors are invited to appreciate not only the artistry and imagination of past generations but also the enduring human impulse to bring myths to life. This creative skill remains powerful and inspiring, especially in today’s age of AI.

The Palace Museum in Taipei
Visitors view “The Lion” by Qing Dynasty artist Liu Chiu-Tse. (All photos from HKCNA)
Ancient Chinese artifacts
Visitors view a Qing Dynasty cloisonné enamel lion.
Fantastic creatures in art
Visitors view a Qing Dynasty Lu Duan incense burner.
Beigang Chao-Tian Temple
Visitors view the carved wooden “Figure on Mount” plaque from Beigang Chao-Tian Temple.

If you like this article, why not read: Classic Yue Opera Meets New Audiences in Taiwan.

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