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"Longevity" (寿) — Original Gold-Ink Calligraphy on Red by Yehenara Yulin
A single character, one of the most beloved in all of Chinese culture: 寿 (shou) — Longevity. Hand-brushed in shimmering gold pigment ink on festive red xuan paper, this is the classic auspicious pairing — red for joy and good fortune, gold for honor and prosperity — traditionally presented to parents and grandparents on milestone birthdays, and hung in homes as a standing wish for long life and well-being.
The flowing cursive brushwork turns th
Please note: this is an unmounted work (no framing or mounting included). It ships rolled in a protective tube; we recommend custom framing at your local frame shop.
e character into a piece of abstract art in its own right: even guests who read no Chinese will feel its energy — and you'll enjoy telling them what it means.
This listing is for the exact one-of-a-kind original artwork shown in the photos. Every brushstroke is written by hand with real gold pigment ink. It is not a print, reproduction, digital artwork, or AI-generated image, and no duplicate will ever be created.
Artwork Details
- Artist: Yehenara Yulin (叶赫那拉·煜麟)
- Title: Longevity (寿)
- Medium: gold pigment ink, hand-brushed on festive red handmade xuan paper
- Size: approx. 68 × 68 cm (26.8 × 26.8 in) — classic doufang square format
- Hand signed, with the artist's original red seals
- Ships unframed (artwork only); framed scene photos are for display inspiration
- One of a kind (OOAK)
About the Artist
Yehenara Yulin is one of the last practicing masters of Manchu calligraphy — the script of China's Qing emperors, mastered today by fewer than a hundred people worldwide — and one of the very few living artists who can also write Jurchen, its medieval ancestor. A fifth-generation descendant of Empress Dowager Cixi's natal Yehenara clan, he is a member of the China Calligraphers Association and a guest professor at Tsinghua University's Academy of Arts & Design. His works have set personal sale records in China, are held in the permanent collection of the China Painting and Calligraphy Academy, have been broadcast on CCTV, and have been exhibited in Macau. He has also led the official translation and preservation of Manchu and Jurchen texts for heritage sites across China. Every piece is brushed, signed, and sealed by the artist personally, and ships direct from his studio in Houston, Texas.
The Perfect Birthday Gift for Elders
In Chinese tradition, 寿 in gold on red is the gift for a 60th, 70th, 80th, or 90th birthday — a way of saying "may you live long and well" that carries a thousand years of custom behind it. Also at home in entryways, dining rooms, and Lunar New Year decor.
About Xuan Paper
This work is created on traditional handmade Chinese xuan paper (宣纸). Natural surface wrinkles, gentle undulations, and minor texture marks are inherent characteristics of handmade xuan paper — not defects. Traditional wet-mounting (装裱) or long-term flat pressing renders the surface completely smooth. By purchasing, you acknowledge these natural paper characteristics.
Shipping
Ships flat and well-protected from Houston, Texas, USA. Free shipping within the US. Combined shipping discounts available — message us before paying for multiple items. International orders via International Shipping.
Returns & Service
Questions about the character, its meaning, or extra close-up photos? Message us — we love sharing the story behind the work. If anything is wrong with your order, contact us before opening a case and we will make it right.
Custom commissions welcome — a word, name, or blessing in Manchu or Jurchen script, made just for you. Message me anytime.
