By MOOK Travel & Living Network, reported and compiled by Chen Guanxin
In Han Chinese culture, gourds have long symbolized fortune and prosperity, as well as fertility. In daily life, they serve as both culinary and household tools, musical instruments, divination aids, handicrafts, and even survival equipment—closely intertwined with human life. The National Museum of Natural Science has launched the special exhibition "Millennial Gourds: Fortune in Human Life," showcasing gourds from various perspectives including botany, archaeology, cultural anthropology, and Chinese arts and crafts. Through a rich display of related artifacts, the exhibition explores how different ethnic groups have used gourds, their roles in human life, and the associated craftsmanship aesthetics. It also features gourd craftworks created using techniques such as openwork carving and pyrography, as well as time-lapse videos documenting the growth of gourds.
Colorful and adorable zodiac-themed gourd craftworks that particularly captivate children's attention. (Photo provided by the National Museum of Natural Science)
This special exhibition runs until June 2 of the 102nd year [2013] and displays precious gourd artifacts and craftworks from the Institute of Ethnology, Academia Sinica, the National Museum of Taiwanese History, the National Museum of Taiwan, and gourd craft artist Gong Yifang. These include water-carrying gourds used by the Atayal people, Peruvian banana-shaped shakers from South America, and gourd crafts created using various techniques. Notably, Gong Yifang’s works—such as the "Knot-Tied Pyrography Wild Goose Gourd," the "Openwork Fortune and Prosperity Gourd," and the zodiac series—demonstrate a diverse range of carving and painting techniques. Among them, the "Knot-Tied Pyrography Wild Goose Gourd" not only showcases masterful pyrography skills but also required the knot tied at the top of the gourd to be secured during the fruit’s early growth stage. The tightness of the knot had to be adjusted and loosened continually as the gourd grew to achieve the desired shape for crafting upon maturity. Additionally, white porcelain gourd-shaped pieces created by "Bafang Xinqi," which blend classical aesthetics with modern styles, offer gourds new forms and artistic meanings.
Gourd craft artist Gong Yifang displays his work "Knot-Tied Pyrography Wild Goose Gourd." (Photo provided by the National Museum of Natural Science)
To help the public understand the growth process of gourds, the museum has produced a time-lapse video documenting the series of stages from sprouting to flowering and fruiting. Starting with the “Gourd Baby Family,” the video captures the sprouting, vine extension, and blooming processes, offering a glimpse into the lesser-known vitality of gourds. The special exhibition presents this dynamic and energetic plant growth through high-definition HD footage.
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