Ancient architectural decoration from Western Xia Dynasty

If you travel through China and admire its ancient architecture, you might spot some mysterious and enchanting figures perched on the eaves.

This exquisite pottery figure, featuring the body and wings of a bird with a human face, was once used as a decorative element on rooftops in the Western Xia Dynasty (1038-1227). Known in Sanskrit as Kalaviṅka and in Chinese as "miaoyin niao" (bird of wonderful sound), it is said to come from the snowy mountains. Its voice is so pure and beautiful that ordinary people who hear it feel their heart cleansed, inspired to do good and drawn closer to the path of Buddhism. Collection: Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region Museum.