Cultural Relic: Pig? Dragon? Jade-pig Dragon!

Copyright: A Journey into China’s Antiquity– Chinese History in Cultural Relics, Blossom Press

Is it a whistle? Don’t be cheated by its appearance. Its name is jade pig-dragon. Today we provide this cultural relic for you.

The jade pig-dragon in the picture,7.2cm high, shows a fat pig head and a dragon body coiled like a ring. It has big ears, glaring eyes with crow’s feet, and a protruding, slightly open mouth with wrinkles at its corners, revealing long, sharp teeth.

Small and perforated, this one is believed to be pendants. It is also a ritual object symbolizing rank and power.

Large numbers of jade objects were generally unearthed from tombs belonging to Hongshan culture. Jade pig-dragon is not an exception. Most exquisitely carved are ornaments shaped like animals, such as a jade tortoise, fish-shaped stone earrings, jade birds, jade huang (semicircular tablet) in the shape of two dragon heads.