The word ji 雞 is a homophone for ji 吉, ‘auspicious’, a term used in such expressions as jixiang 吉祥 and jili 吉利 or good fortune, and common in the new year salutation: 大雞(吉)大利. Artists and artisans alike have used everything from the humble chick, to the hen as well as the statuesque rooster in their work since ancient … Continue reading The Year of the Rooster, On Seeing