Design Description

The composition uses books as its foundation, symbolising the accumulation and transmission of medical knowledge. At the centre of the pages appears Qian Yi, founder of paediatric Chinese medicine in the Song Dynasty, and the core concepts from his representative work Xiao’er Yao Zheng Zhi Jue (Key to Therapeutics of Children’s Diseases), highlighting his outstanding contribution to paediatric bianzheng lunzhi (treatment based on pattern identification). The scene depicts children receiving Yutifa (Medicated Bathing Method), surrounded by Song Dynasty porcelain and Chinese medicine dosage forms (such as powders and pills), recreating the medical environment of the time and emphasising the physician’s meticulous care for children, with dosage forms that were convenient and easy to administer; Chinese medicinal immersion bath therapy and dosage forms such as pills, powders, pastes and pellets are also among the clinical services offered by the Chinese Medicine Hospital of Hong Kong (CMHHK).

The composition incorporates Qian Yi’s paediatric five zang organs pattern identification, the five formulae he established to regulate the five zang organs, paediatric facial diagnosis, and Liuwei Dihuang Wan (Bolus of Six Medicinals Including Rehmannia) and other representative content, demonstrating the clinical value of Qian Yi’s scholarly system. The composition is paired with architectural elements of the Hanlin Yuan (Imperial Academy); Qian Yi was appointed Hanlin Yiguan (Imperial Physician) for his meritorious service in treating illness, and the Hanlin Yiguan Yuan (Imperial Academy of Medicine) was a department responsible for medical administration and affairs, reflecting the Tang government’s promotion of Chinese medicine development at the time.