In Chinese art, the eagle is a powerful emblem of strength, courage, and resilience. Its soaring flight across the skies embodies a majestic spirit. Historically, the eagle symbolized a martial and valiant character, integral to hunting traditions. It was a formidable ally to hunters, capable of capturing prey larger than itself, such as swans and foxes. For the Manchu people, the eagle symbolized light and power, revered in Shamanic rituals as a divine entity presiding over fire. Among Hui, Tu, Dongxiang, and other ethnic groups, the eagle represents the pursuit of freedom, celebrated in traditions like falconry in Gansu’s Kangle region.

In Western culture, the eagle carries similar connotations of strength and aspiration. A fable by Lessing tells of a parent eagle teaching its young to fly high into the sky, imparting the lesson that true greatness requires bravery and ambition. This imagery of the eagle—undaunted by challenges, soaring towards the sun—resonates universally.

In traditional Chinese painting, artists like Lin Liang excelled at depicting eagles. Lin’s technique involved broad, light ink strokes for feathers, gradually layered with darker tones, culminating in intricate details for the eyes and beak. His mastery captured the eagle’s ferocity and piercing gaze.

Chung Chen Sun continues this legacy in his contemporary masterpiece, Eagle Soaring a Thousand Miles. Adopting Lin’s bold brushwork, Chung portrays an eagle in full flight, its expansive wings commanding the skies. The body is rendered with expressive, free-flowing strokes, while the talons—painted in the mogu (boneless) technique—convey an unyielding grip, ready to seize its prey. The inscription, "Eagle Soaring a Thousand Miles," symbolizes boundless ambition and achievement.

“Like the roc challenging the winds or fledglings competing in the rain, I too aspire to rise with the winds and soar to great heights.”

May those who view Eagle Soaring a Thousand Miles be inspired to pursue their dreams with unyielding determination!