In this oil painting the artist has quite literally signed the moon.  And that signature has been placed at the centre of this triptych canvas set, both physically and conceptually – as has the moon.   But do you wonder why?  Can you not but help be intrigued; at least a little?  Iconography within art is often conveyed by specific objects, figures or characters; each of which the artist has choose to portray for a specific reason.  The role of iconography is to identify, classify, and explain the obscure – the symbolic.

Held only when the full moon rises, the Chinese Moon Festival is one of their most important traditional events: Legend says that Houyi saved the world from the scorching heat of the ‘Ten Suns’ and was rewarded with two pills that would grant him and his wife (Chang Er) eternal life.  A scheming servant forced Chang Er to take the pill before New Years Day; as both she and Houyi were instructed.  The results were disastrous.  Upon taking the pill Chang Er floated to the moon where she has been ever since.