Poem on Promulgating the Almanac at New Year’s 1498 - 1573

Wen Peng created this calligraphic scroll, "Poem on Promulgating the Almanac at New Year’s," using ink on paper, sometime in the 16th century. Wen was working in an era of growing commercialization in China. The dissemination of printed almanacs at the New Year was a symbolic act with tangible consequences for society. The almanac was a product of imperial authority, dictating the calendar and thus setting the rhythm for agricultural life and ritual observance. As printing became more widespread, the dissemination of the almanac became a way for the emperor to project power and reinforce social order. Wen's choice to create a work around the promulgation of the almanac speaks to the cultural importance of this ritual. By studying the history of printing, the social role of the literati, and the political symbolism of the calendar, we can better appreciate how Wen Peng’s calligraphy engages with the institutions of his time.