vfollia: Dragon and Tiger (용과 호랑이/용호도; 龍虎圖) from 19th c., late Joseon Dynasty, Korea (National Museu
vfollia: Dragon and Tiger (용과 호랑이/용호도; 龍虎圖) from 19th c., late Joseon Dynasty, Korea (National Museum of Korea) These are two large paintings on silk, designed to be hung as a pair. During the Joseon period, it was common practice to display paintings called sehwa (세화; 歲畫) on the gate or main hall of the royal palace or government buildings in the first month of the year, in order to chase away evil spirits and bring in good luck. It is believed that these paintings were used for this purpose. Tiger is the largest of all tiger paintings from the Joseon dynasty, and Dragon was especially beloved as a sehwa due to a strong belief in its supernatural abilities. -- source link