Huaiyang Clay Figurines (Nini Gou)

Huaiyang Clay Figurines (Nini Gou)

　　"Nini Gou" refers to the collective name for clay toys at the "Renzu Fair" of the Taihao Mausoleum in Huaiyang. It is a unique form of folk art derived from primitive totem culture, also known as "Linggou" or "Ling Dog." These figurines depict an incredibly wide range of subjects, including every imaginable creature from the skies—like birds—and the earth—like beasts—with imaginative and mysterious forms. Among the many strange and fantastical shapes are the nine-headed bird, human-headed dog, human-faced fish, monkey-headed swallow, unicorn, multi-headed monster, winged fish, winged beast, human-faced monkey, a four-legged oddity resembling a qilin, cat-pulled monkey, straw-hat tiger, strange lion, dove-carrying beast, turtle, python, snake, dog, bear, toad, lizard, bean worm, scorpion, and more. There are also around 200 varieties of various abstract and deformed composite monsters. The "Nini Gou" possess a unique charm among numerous folk arts due to their quaint and absurd designs. "Huaiyang 'Nini Gou'" selects over 200 works of "Nini Gou," systematically showcasing this folk art with a distinctly primitive style.