The story of Mencius’ mother cutting cloth with a knife from a loom, a popular subject of paintings from traditional to modern times in China, is a visual and cultural symbol that cuts across the ages. Mencius’ mother embodied the importance of motherly duty and deeds in raising a child correctly in ancient times in China. Women’s good deeds signified the practice of virtue, and their diligent weaving works implied the practice of noble female virtue. In addition, weaving was a means of livelihood for many families. Images of Mencius’ mother cutting cloth with a knife from a loom were not only used as a lesson in virtue and for educational and meditation purposes in ancient times, but were also produced in association with the cultivation of the nation (Female Citizens, New People) during China’s modernization period. In other words, the image has developed and been used according to the demands and circumstances of the era. Modern Chinese “Images of Mencius’ Mother Cutting Cloth from a Loom” has been represented in various forms: general paintings, textbooks and textbook illustrations, calendar posters, picture storybook, printed art, decorative designs of craftwork etc.

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