Hi
U can use the following code
JLabel weatherImgLab;
ImageIcon weatherImage;
weatherImage= new ImageIcon("xxx.gif");
weatherImgLab= new JLabel();
weatherImgLab.setBounds(0,2,weatherImage.getIconWidth(),weatherImage.getIconHeight());
weatherImgLab.setIcon(weatherImage);
add that JLabel to the required panel or container...then on that panel u can also add what ever u want ....then that jlabel will look as background
all the best...
if u still have doubt.......
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