With the rise of block printing, the content of New Year pictures is no longer limited to the door gods, but gradually invites the god of wealth to their homes, and then in some New Year pictures workshops, colorful New Year pictures such as three stars of Fu Lushou, God bless the people, abundant crops, prosperity of six animals, greeting the spring and praying for blessings are produced to meet people's good wishes of celebrating and praying for the New Year.
As Zhu Yuanzhang, the first emperor of Ming Dynasty, advocated posting Spring Festival couplets, New Year pictures became popular, and three important producing areas of New Year pictures appeared in China: Taohuawu in Suzhou, Yangliuqing in Tianjin and Weifang in Shandong. Formed three schools of Chinese New Year pictures.
The earliest collection of New Year pictures in China is woodcut New Year pictures of the Southern Song Dynasty, which shows four ancient beauties: Wang Zhaojun, Zhao, Ban Ji and Lvzhu. However, the most popular picture among people in China is the New Year picture of marrying a mouse. This painting depicts an interesting scene in which a mouse marries a bride according to human custom. His paintings are lively in composition. This painting left an indelible impression on Lu Xun. As he said, this entertaining "Marry a Mouse" not only aroused the interest of adults, but also had a stronger artistic appeal to children.
According to folklore, New Year's Eve is an auspicious day for mice to get married. People should put some food under the bed and in the kitchen as gifts for the groom of the mouse to pray for a bumper harvest next year. Some grandmothers often tease their children before they go to bed and say, "Hide your shoes quickly, and don't let mice steal them as sedan chairs." This is the origin of words. Therefore, the New Year's picture Marry a Mouse can especially arouse the children's voices.
In the early years of the Republic of China, Zheng of Shanghai combined the monthly calendar with the New Year pictures. This is a new form of New Year pictures. This two-in-one New Year picture later developed into a calendar, which became popular all over the country.