Features
5th-century portrait brick depicts tortoise intertwined with snake
Updated: Feb 8, 2025
www.chinaservicesinfo.com
Print
Share - WeChat
A tortoise intertwined with a snake, known as the Black Tortoise (Xuanwu, Chinese: 玄武), is one of the Four Symbols of the Chinese constellations, representing the north and the winter season. This portrait brick from the Song Dynasty (420-479) of the Southern Dynasty era (420-589) depicts such an image with high-relief carving technique and vibrant colors.
Excavated in Dengzhou, Henan province, the brick is in the permanent collection of Henan Museum, preserving a legacy of ancient beliefs and craftsmanship.
Features
Festivals & Cutoms
Lishan Torch Festival concludes in Chongqing, draws over 100,000 visitors
Festivals & Cutoms
Zhengding Folk Art Performance draws 30 troupes for Lantern Festival
