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Article http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.12.012

The Evolution and Regional Characteristics of Female Themes in Spring Festival: A Case Study of Taohuawu

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Hehe Du^1,*, Wenqian Zhao¹, Lili Zhang²

¹School of Art, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China.

²Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, Jiangsu, China.

*Corresponding author: Hehe Du

Published: January 9,2026

Abstract

The female imagery in Suzhou Taohuawu woodblock New Year paintings evolved from religious figures to theatrical beauties, urban leisure scenes, and modern women, reflecting socio-economic and cultural changes in Jiangnan. Using iconographic and comparative methods, this study analyzes the cultural functions and evolution of these figures, revealing them as composite texts interweaving aesthetics, gender, and consumption. Compared to northern styles, Taohuawu works exhibit more refined elegance and contemporary sensitivity, serving as key visual media for understanding traditional female roles and regional identity. The research further highlights how these images mirror shifts in urban consumer culture, gender norms, and the impact of Western influence in late Qing and early Republican China, offering a nuanced perspective on folk art as a dynamic record of social transformation.

Keywords

Taohuawu New Year Prints; Female Themes; Regional Characteristics; Secular Culture

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How to cite this paper

The Evolution and Regional Characteristics of Female Themes in Spring Festival: A Case Study of Taohuawu

How to cite this paper: Hehe Du, Wenqian Zhao, Lili Zhang. (2025) The Evolution and Regional Characteristics of Female Themes in Spring Festival: A Case Study of Taohuawu. Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Science, 9(12), 2295-2298.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/jhass.2025.12.012