An 81-year-old senior in Changchun, Jilin province, painted a 10-meter long traditional Chinese painting to welcome the year of the rooster in the Chinese lunar calendar.

It took Dong Yinlin, a Changchun native, four months to finish the painting, which depicts 102 roosters and hens in different postures heralding the New Year.

Dong said that the art piece is a meticulous painting work and the major elements — the chickens — are set off by various flowers, including winter jasmine, peony, and cuckoo, to add to the festive nature of a new year.

To perfectly draw these vivid roosters, Dong did extensive research and observation.

"Roosters are symbols of bravery, vigor, and courageousness in traditional Chinese culture," Dong said. This spirit is important but difficult to convey on paper.

"Cocks' tails are the key to reflect their spirits. Feathers should be neatly arranged and the size must be well-matched with the bodies," Dong added.

Dong has continuously drawn Chinese zodiac paintings over the past nine years and she only needs to make pictures of snakes, dogs, and pigs to complete the set.

"I intend to finish all twelve animals by the end of 2017 and piece them together into a hundred-meter long painting," Dong said.

Neighbors and passers-by appreciate the 102-rooster painting drawn by Dong Yinlin. [Photo/chinajilin.com.cn]