The booming commodity ecunm-ny and handicraft industry along with the advancement in wood block printing during the Song Dynasty changed tile manufacture of Chinese woodcut New Year picture from mainly hand-painting to wood block printing, bringing major expansions to tile New Year picture industry both in category and content. Its all-inclusive themes ranged from the then folk customs; field work and lyric life; people and country scenery; to theatrical plays andoperas; children and family pedigree; magic rocks and
Immortal wild lives. As was recorded in "Wu Lin Anecdote" by Zhou Mi of the Northern Song Dynasty,"Since last October, market place in the capital city has been filled with hardcover New Year pictures for sale, pictures of door gods large and small; peach symbols;
Zhongkui; lions; tiger heads; colorful strips and spring flowers paper-cut and all types of worship offerings."
