Weiyi Yan, first an Illustrator,
then a Brand Designer.
Shenzhen-based. Read More



 Selected Projects -  Illustration       
        Passerby
        Snake: Our Beautiful Origin
        Guide Me By the Waves
        Hong Yin: The Charming Sound of Dunhuang
        Daomubiji Collection

 Selected Projects - Design
        Mist Bistro
        Jue Mai Fu Bakery
        Golden Arts
        FIT CSSA Orientation Pack

 Selected Projects -  Art Direction
        Plants: A Clean, Well-lighted Place
         Fly


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©2025 Weiyi Yan

Hong Yin: The Charming Sound of Dunhuang 敦煌·鸿音

Mural Illustration
5th International Prize Leonardo Da Vinci, Finalist
2022


Fei Tian, a revered figure born from the fusion of Buddhist and Taoist cultures, is a divine being roaming the Western Pure Land, often seen beside the Buddha, listening to teachings and meditating in the Buddha's radiance. However, the origin of Fei Tian and the trials endured in the desert before becoming immortal remain largely unknown.
Acrylic, Color Ink, Pencil on 3 Canvases | 236.22’’ × 39.37 ‘’ (6m x 1m)


Left Side.
In ancient times, Dunhuang was a vast desert, devoid of life amidst the rolling yellow sands, which surged like ocean waves, earning the name "Sea of Misery." Over time, the desert attained a Buddha-like nature. Deep within this Sea of Misery, an eye of the heavens opened, witnessing the desolation of all things and feeling profound sorrow, it shed tears. These tears transformed into fish, born without eyes, with fins and tails resembling ribbons, swimming beneath the yellow sands. As the tears of the heavenly eye, they were born with a devotion to Buddha, and from the moment of their creation, they spent their lives swimming towards the Mogao Caves, yearning to worship and accomplish the celestial beings.

On their journey, they should endure three trials.The first trial is the Trial of the Five Elements, a natural test of their innate resilience. With metal represents sand and stones, wood represents thorns, water represents cold nights, fire represents the scorching sun, and earth represents the Ghost City, the spiritual fish must endure the scraping of sand, the entanglement of thorns, the coldn of polar nights, the burning of the scorching sun, and the dangerous labyrinth of the Ghost City.Middle Part.
The second trial is to overcome greed, anger, and ignorance. As the fish cross the Sea of Desire, serpent demons, symbolizing greed and desire, transform into Buddhas or naked women, tempting the wavering them to leap out of the desert and fall into the flames of evil thoughts, making some of them nearly impossible to transcend.Right Side.
The third trial is the illusion of the shattered Baoxiang flower. In Buddhism, the Baoxiang flower symbolizes purity and nobility. Still, the illusion of broken flowers constantly hints at the falsity and peril of Buddhist teachings. Only those who remain devout and unwavering can break through the illusion, navigate the maze, and successfully pass the trial. Upon finally reaching the Buddha Pavilion of the Mogao Caves, they pass through the lotus flower beneath the Buddha's seat in the radiance of Buddha's light. After crossing, their fins transform into silk, their tails into garments, and they attain relics, becoming Fei Tian.

All beings navigate the Sea of Misery, but only those who remain devout and maintain their true essence can achieve greatness.