Boys with leaves and boxes

China

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 219

Two boys holding a lotus or leaf and a box are popular New Year’s images symbolic of harmony and union. Known as the hehe twins, in reference to the characters for these virtues both of which are read he, this pair is also thought to have been inspired by the legendary Tang dynasty (618–907) Buddhist monks Hanshan and Shide.

Boys with leaves and boxes, Horn, China

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Group shot of 42.90.31a, b and 42.90.32a, b

Boys with leaves and boxes, Horn, China
Boys with leaves and boxes, Horn, China
Boys with leaves and boxes, Horn, China

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