Nearly 500 artworks featuring the ox, the Chinese zodiac animal for the upcoming Chinese Lunar New Year, are on exhibition in Jiaozhou, a county-level city in Qingdao, Shandong province.

The ox has been considered an auspicious animal since ancient times as it symbolizes strength and is associated with harvests and fertility.

The exhibits were selected from over 7,000 works designed by teachers and students from more than 300 domestic colleges and universities and more than 400 invited pieces from famous designers and cartoonists from 26 foreign countries and regions.

A mother and her child view exhibits featuring the ox in Jiaozhou, Shandong province on Feb 8. [Photo/IC]

A girl takes photos of the exhibits. [Photo/IC]

The exhibition is designed to celebrate the upcoming Year of the Ox by showing a selection of ox-themed design works from home and abroad. [Photo/IC]

A man takes a close look at the exhibits. [Photo/IC]

The exhibition is meant to spread the festive cheer of the upcoming Lunar New Year in Jiaozhou, Shandong province. [Photo/IC]

The exhibition has attracted many visitors. [Photo/IC]