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John Doyle: Healing Across Cultures, 2023
Acupuncturist shows a story of medicine and belief. The central figure would have been instantly recognized as significant by his contemporaries. He wears a coat with squares known as dragon badges, a denotation of court rank. On his head is a peacock feather tucked into a winter hat of monkey fur, representing his service to the emperor. The acupuncturist bows and covers his patient’s eyes, encouraging you not only to see medicine being practiced, but a wholly spiritual tradition. In ancient China, acupuncture was used to bring balance to the body, while today it is seen as a strategic therapy for chronic illnesses. The Acupuncturist invites you to consider the importance of aligning body with mind in harmony.
Text by Lily Greene, Washburn student