Woodblock relief of "Doctor returns home to worship their ancestors"

Woodblock relief of "Doctor returns home to worship their ancestors"

Ladies and gentlemen! 
Currently, the Nguyen Du exhibition house still preserves the woodblock relief named "Doctor returns home to worship their ancestors", which belongs to the Nguyen clan of Tien Dien. The woodblock is 15-centimeters long, 25-centimeters wide and 1-centimeter thick, dating from the 18th century.
The woodblock depicts the scene of welcoming a “doctor” (one who passed the Imperial Examination) back home to honor his ancestors in the 18th century, consisting of 2 sides: One side depicts the image of the doctor returning home. After their names were listed on the golden board, signifying the passing of the Imperial Examination, the doctors would be treated to a royal banquet, granted a mandarin uniform according to their rank, given a flag, robe, hat and parasol by the emperor, and allowed to ride an elephant with an entourage to return to his birthplace. The other side depicts the scene of the doctor honoring his ancestors, the final stage in the ancient Imperial Examination. Before officially becoming court mandarins, the students who had passed the Examination with great determination were greatly honored. The woodblock depicts a scene of an entourage holding swords, flags, drums, gongs, etc. walking in front, followed by the image of “the doctor riding a horse in front, a woman’s palanquin following behind”. 
Next, we invite you to learn about the Doc Binh (Unique Vase) in the family of Mr. Nguyen Nghiem.