In Vietnam’s artistic circle, painter Le Tri Dung is famous for paintings of horses. However, he has recently become interested in painting animals of the 12 animals designations that commemorate each new year according to the lunar calendar. He made public some unique collections of Tet (lunar New Year), including his snake paintings in 2014 and goat paintings in 2015.
 

 

Painter Tri Dung.

2015 is the year of the Goat  which is the 8thanimal of the 12 zodiac signs.  According to Eastern culture, the goat is in the fire circle based on the theory of the Five Elements (Metal, Water, Wood, Fire and Earth) astrology system. Billy-goats symbolize multiplicity and nanny goats symbolizes gentle, warm-hearted and sharp-witted characters.
In Vietnam, the goat is one of six animals, including chickens, pigs, buffaloes and horses which have been raised by the Vietnamese for many years. Raising this animal is rather easy because it only eats grass. Goats are usually used as offerings to the spirits. Particularly, it is also used for tonics and medicine for many diseases.
A goat is also seen in the Dong Ho folk painting, “Two Goats Cross a Bridge”.
When the Year of the Goat comes, many Vietnamese painters portray the animal in their paintings.Vietnam Pictorial introduces readers to some of the paintings of goats by painter Le Tri Dung.
 



















 

By Dang Tien