Detail View: National Palace English: Jade pendant in the shape of a fish-dragon
|
Work ID:
|
M01C00019
|
|
Title:
|
Jade pendant in the shape of a fish-dragon
|
|
Creation Date:
|
Liao Dynasty
|
|
Start Year Date:
|
A.D.916
|
|
End Year Date:
|
A.D.1125
|
|
Dynasty:
|
38 Liao Dynasty (A.D. 916~1125)
|
|
Creation Place:
|
China
|
|
Measurements:
|
Length: 7 cm; Width: 4 cm
|
|
Material:
|
Jade
|
|
Type:
|
Jades and Other Precious Stones
|
|
Subject:
|
Dragon
|
|
Repository:
|
The National Palace Museum, Taipei
|
|
Description:
|
The form of this dragon-fish is similar to one depicted in a wall mural painting, which is excavated from Liao tomb in Xuanhua, Hebei province. The mural illustrates the Makara palace scene of an astrological tale. Research shows that the belief of the twelve palaces of the Yellow tao did not make its way into China until the Sui Dynasty when Buddhism was introduced into China from India. Makara represents "the big fish of the sea". Buddhist relics record that the Buddha once transformed into a Makara, using its body to save the people. In India, Makara is a big fish, characterized by the stretching jaws, a spitting tongue, and a coiling nose. Its representation was combined with that of dragon in China, and subsequently, it had horns, wings, and other features. It appears frequently on Tang gold and silverware, and its increasing popularity warrants its appearance on a wider variety of wares in the Liao and Jin Dynasties.
|
|
ImageV ID:
|
M01C00019AS001
|
|
Rights:
|
Lee & Lee Communications
|