A Chinese bronze 'dragon carp' censer, Ming dynasty, modelled as a leaping carp with detachable dragon's head, issuing a cord tied in a ribbon, 28cm highNotes: On the Yellow River at Hunan is a waterfall called the Dragon Gate, and it is said that if carp called Yulong can climb this waterfall they will transform into dragons. The motif of the carp jumping over the gate is an old and enduring Chinese symbol for courage, perseverance, and accomplishment. Historically, the dragon was the exclusive symbol of the emperor of China and the five-character expression, l? yú tiào lóng mén ?????, was originally used as a metaphor for a person's success in passing very difficult imperial examinations, required for entry into imperial administrative service. Throughout China there was a common saying that: 'a student facing his examinations is like a carp attempting to leap the Dragon Gate', and more generally the expression is used to communicate that hard work will one day be rewarded with success.

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