Chinese literature posters are a type of art which provides a visually appealing representation of Chinese literature Originally they were created as a way of promoting and advertising works of literature, as well as to increase public awareness of literary works. These posters often feature vibrant colors, captivating images and symbols, and concise but powerful taglines.
Chinese literature posters have been around since the 19th century, although they enjoyed great popularity in the 1950s, thanks to the rise of Communism and the power of propaganda. Many of the posters featured works by Chinese writers, both classical and modern. These posters often contained revolutionary and nationalist messages, reflecting the spirit of the times.
Today, Chinese literature posters are still being used for the same purpose as before, although modern posters often focus on promoting new works, as well as providing visuals from older works that are still relevant today. Here are five of the best examples of Chinese literature posters:
1. Lu Xun’s “Diary of a Madman.” This poster features a black and white image of Lu Xun, the famous Chinese author, surrounded by a bright red background. The main image is overlaid with a quote from the novel, which reads, “If one wants to be a true human being, he must not only resist external oppression, but also overcome his own inner cowardly soul.”
2. Mao Zedong’s “Quotations from Chairman Mao.” This poster features a bold red background with images of Mao Zedong’s face scattered in a collage. The main title is written in white, Chinese characters, and it reads, “Quotations from Chairman Mao.” Underneath is a quote from Mao’s Little Red Book, which reads, “The people, and the people alone, are the motive force in the making of world history.”
3. “The Art of War,” by Sun Tzu. This poster features a bold yellow background with a white castle and a black silhouette of a General marching away from it. Superimposed in the foreground is a quote from Sun Tzu’s iconic work, “The Art of War,” which reads, “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity.”
4. “Dream of the Red Chamber,” by Cao Xueqin. This poster features a vibrant background composed of reds and pinks, with an image of a lotus flower in the center. Superimposed on the flower are white Chinese characters which read, “Dream of the Red Chamber.” The main quote from the novel appears below the image, which reads, “When the soul is full of sorrow, it is only a coincidence that the eyes fill with tears.”
5. “Journey To The West,” by Wu Cheng’en. This poster features a bold orange background with a black silhouette of the famous Monkey King, with a quote from the novel superimposed in white. The quote reads, “Do not lose heart; courageous disposition leads to right action.”