The figures for this vase are of the eight Taoist Immortals. An excerpt from "The Shrike" an article in "Orientations" February, 1977 issue by Tseng Yu regarding "the Chinese Taoist approach and attitude toward natural life": "Unlike Artistotle and the adherents of Western scientific esthetics, the Taoist does not believe man can physically conquer nature by measurements. Man is only able to intuitively sense Nature's reality and inner spirit, grasp its unity and wholeness, and from that intuitive knowledge live according to its change."