Traditional paintings salute the New Year

A child plays at a nianhua (New Year picture) workshop in Zhuxianzhen near Kaifeng city of Central China’s Henan province, Jan 26, 2010. Dozens of workshops in Zhuxianzhen are busy making woodblock New Year paintings as the Chinese lunar New Year draws near. As a national intangible cultural heritage, the Zhuxianzheng woodblock New Year paintings first appeared in Tang Dynasty (AD 618-907) and gained prosperity during the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) and Qing Dynasty (1644-1911). According to traditional Chinese customs, the paintings are usually placed on doors and walls during the Spring Festival to prevent evil spirits and bring good luck to the family. [Photo/Xinhua]

A man carrying a child passes by a courtyard with a New Year painting on the wall, Jan 26, 2011. [Photo/Xinhua]