• 중국학논총
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• 제27호
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• pp.147-166
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• 2009

New year pictures prevailed from 1660s to 1860. Especially, the reign period of Emperor Qianlong(r. 1736-1795) was the period of prosperity. The period of 1660s when new year pictures were started to be popular was the reign period of Emperor Kangxi(r. 1662-1722) was just started and corresponded to Emperor Kangxi's promulgation of "Sacred Edict." Chinese operas such as Peking opera were very popular among common people in the period from 1660s to 1860 when new year pictures prevailed. Qing emperors as foreign ruler chose the way of ruling their people by means of cultural influence in stead of military power. However their culture effort was not efficient toward the majority of illiterate people. New year pictures offered every information about the world through visual icons to the illiterate people at that time who perceived the world by means of seeing. They met the world through visual information offered by new year pictures. New year pictures were the stronger visual medium to spread and educate "Sacred Edict" to illiterate subjects than any other guide books published by elite officers.