Wall with four large painted characters (洗淨私心), aspects of the thoughts of Yan Xishan (閻錫山), Shanxi province

Collection

Identifier

LP01-61

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Notes

University of Bristol - Historical Photographs of China reference number: LP01-61. No caption in the album for this photograph, which may have been taken in Taiyuan (太原), Shansi (Shanxi) province. The characters painted on the wall behind four saplings are: 洗淨私心 (Translation: ‘Cleaning a selfish heart’ or ‘Cleanse selfishness’), being aspects of the thoughts of the warlord Yan Xishan (閻錫山 Yen Hsi-shan) (1883-1960). Yan attempted to spread his ideology through a network of semi-religious organizations, known as Heart-Washing Societies (洗心社). On the right is a guardian lion (shishi 石獅). See LP01-31, LP01-64 and LP01-65.