B:Their educational function is, in fact, a unique feature of Chinese painting. Human profiles were used as a method to either glorify heroes or condemn traitors 2,000 years ago. Tang Dynasty officials even tried to bring painting into Confuction ideology. The Court of the Song Dynasty published an official guide to paintings. This raised criteria not only for human profiles but also for landscape and object paintings.

A:Oh, what was that?

B:It classified paintings into ten categories covering religious beliefs, Confucianism and state power. This classfication gave an official definition of the value and significance of the paintings. The purpose of landscape paintings was to portray the five mountains, while fruit and birds were used to exemplify or eulogize the Gods. In this case, the subjects were used as references to people in order to deliver moral messages. For example, peony and peacocks represented wealth and fortune; pine trees, bamboo, plum blossoms and orchids represented elegance and accomplishment; and pine trees and cypresses symbolized loyalty.

A:As far as I know, painters who did not have to make a living by painting used diffferent skills to those specified in the guide, even though they painted the same subjects.

B:Artists are usually against pragmatism. They like to give meaning to the subjects they paint. Bamboo symbolizes integrity and pine trees symbolize never giving up. Artists also like landscapes. It doesn`t take a lot of training to paint landscapes. It all depends on the painter`s personality and ability, as well as his unique touch. Most of today`s non-professional painters follow the landscape style. The objective of these painters is purely entertainment and self-satisfaction. The more successful artists have the opportunity to exhibit at public functions. That is probably the climax of their painting careers.

A:What are professional painters doing?

B:Some of them make a great effort to improve their painting skills. They want to develop new and innovative painting methods by borrowing from other genres. Others are busy making money. They have found ways to produre commercially attractive paintings. Some people say they are no longer artists. Instead they have become manufacturers of paintings.