Archaeology

Arrows Shooting Fish Eyes: Interpretation of Sanxingdui Texts

Authors: Hao Chen
Comments: 65 Pages. In Chinese

Ancient people couldn't find Sanxingdui script, but it's likely everywhere. For example, the Four-Ram Round-Mouthed Square Tripod unearthed from Pit 3 of the recent Sanxingdui excavation is nearly identical to the Taipei Four-Ram Round-Mouthed Square Tripod, except for the addition of four standing birds on its shoulders. This revelation brought a sense of relief and warmth to the people, as if they had found each other, found themselves, and could finally reunite. Could they recognize each other? The two Four-Ram Round-Mouthed Square Zun vessels, separated by thousands of miles and on opposite sides of the Yangtze River, have been separated throughout history. If they could truly reunite and rediscover each other across millennia of history and distance, it would undoubtedly be a rare miracle and a truly charitable act. The Four-Ram Round-Mouthed Square Zun is a rare find in history. It symbolizes the unity of the round heaven and the square earth. The four rams represent carrying heaven and earth on their backs, much like the ancient Chinese metaphor of "receiving a mandate," meaning receiving a mandate from heaven and earth. It also represents carrying heaven and earth on one's back and offering sacrifices. What a profound metaphor! This kind of human nature can be described as "goodness." Interestingly, if you compare the Chinese character for "goodness," you'll find that the Four-Ram Round-Mouthed Square Zun and the character for "goodness" are identical.
Category: Archaeology