California Through My Lens - Jao Family Sculpture Garden in Irvine

 Way back in 2011 I lived within walking distance of the UC Irvine campus and I spent many a weekend afternoon exploring the grounds. On one such day I wandered upon the Jao Family Sculpture Garden in a remote area of the campus. I was fascinated by this random garden filled with Chinese statues, so I couldn't resist taking a handful of snapshots. 

Here is an except from a piece by Wayne Hsieh about the history of the Jao Family Sculpture Garden:

The Jao Family Sculpture Garden was donated to UC Irvine by local real estate developer Frank Jao, who originally had them situated in Little Saigon in nearby Westminster. The garden depicts famed Chinese philosophers (from left to right), Li Bai (李白), Magu (麻姑), Lao Zhi (老子) and Qu Yuan (屈原).

Li Bai was a famed Chinese poet of the Tang Dynasty, known for his celebration of friends, the joys of drinking, and after the massive disorders of the An Lushan Rebellion, reflections of solitude and the melancholy seeing the passing of a golden age. According to legend he drowned falling from a boat while drunkenly trying to embrace the reflection of the moon.

Magu (literally hemp mage), is the only female of the group, and the only deity. She is the goddess of females and of longevity, carrying the elixir and peaches of immortality. Her ancient legends are strange and seemingly pointless (usually a visit to a famed person to confer immortality or long youth) and may have old shamanic origins. She may have been a historical figure murdered by her husband, or even an ancient snake deity.

Lao Zhi (literally old master) is the supposed author of Tao Te Ching of the Warring States Period. He is the founder of the school of thought known as the Dao School, which promotes harmony, "naturalness", simplicity, spontaneity, compassion, frugality, and humility, all of which are symbolized in the Bagua (Yin Yang). He is also indirectly the founder of Daoism, which begins with Daoist thought before veering into left field with Chinese folk religion, giving rise to stories of immortality and exorcism and making Lao Zhi a near god.

Finally Qu Yuan is a famed poet of the Warring States Period who contributed to Chinese poetry. He is most famous for committing suicide after the fall of his kingdom, whether in despair or to protect his innocence and life principles. He death would give rise to the Dragon Boat Festival.

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