This project was commissioned as the key visual for the Wan Qing Festival of Spring 2026.
The concept is inspired by the legendary horses from The Eight Steeds of King Mu (穆王八骏), a classical Chinese motif that symbolizes movement, vitality, and the ability to travel across distant realms.
Rather than depicting the horses in a historical or mythical setting, I explored the idea of reimagining them as contemporary cultural characters — each one representing a different energy, role, or way of engaging with tradition in today’s context.
Final Image
During the development process, the horses were imagined as potential “hosts” of different festive experiences, such as:
绝地 (Jue Di) – a lantern builder, bringing light and atmosphere
翻羽 (Fan Yu) – a festive chef, connected to food and gathering
奔宵 (Ben Xiao) – a Chinese ink painter, representing artistic expression
超影 (Chao Ying) – a puppeteer, embodying performance and storytelling
逾辉 (Yu Hui) – a dazzling, fashion-forward presence, adding a contemporary visual energy
超光 (Chao Guang) – a Chinese chess master, symbolizing strategy and quiet focus
腾雾 (Teng Wu) – a calm cloud watcher, bringing a slower, contemplative rhythm
挟翼 (Xie Yi) – a playful character, representing joy and spontaneity
These character directions were part of an open conceptual exploration, allowing the traditional symbolism of the horses to evolve into a more human, approachable, and playful narrative.
The final illustration expands this idea into a lively spring environment where different generations gather, participate, and interact. The composition is designed as a continuous visual journey, guiding the viewer through moments of performance, making, playing, and celebrating.
Final Black and White Line Drawing
1st Draft of Black and White Drawing
2 Options for the Rough Colour Draft
Final Image
Website preview
Other Addaptions
Traditional cultural elements are interpreted through a warm, contemporary visual language to make them feel active, accessible, and lived rather than distant or ceremonial. Small narrative details and hidden festive symbols are embedded throughout the artwork, encouraging viewers to explore the scene slowly and discover new stories within it.
Through this project, the aim was to create a visual world that captures the spirit of renewal, movement, and collective celebration — where tradition travels forward and finds new life in the present.
