Panlong Stone Inkstone Aesthetics and Power Symbol of the Eastern Han Dynasty

Mondo History Updated on 2024-01-31

Panlong stone inkstone, this precious cultural relic of the Eastern Han Dynasty, has attracted the attention of countless people with its unique aesthetic design and profound historical background. Height 12 cm, diameter 32 cm. In 1978, it was excavated in Nanle County, Puyang. It is not only a beautiful work of art, but also a symbol of power and status. Through the Panlong stone inkstone, we can get a glimpse of the social style and artistic achievements of the Eastern Han Dynasty, and at the same time, we can also have an in-depth understanding of the aesthetic concepts and power operation of the people at that time.

First of all, the aesthetic design of the Panlong stone inkstone is breathtaking. The whole inkstone is composed of two parts, the inkstone cover and the inkstone, showing the characteristics of flat and round. Six flying dragons are carved in high relief on the inkstone cover, and the dragon's head plays a bead to form a jewel-like cover button, which looks gorgeous and solemn. The circle and wave pattern decoration adds a sense of movement and vitality to the whole inkstone. At the bottom of the inkstone, there are three animal-shaped feet, which not only increase the stability of the inkstone, but also give it a mysterious and majestic temperament. The smoothness of the inkstone surface and the design of the inkwell fully consider practicality and comfort.

However, the value of Panlong stone inkstone does not lie only in its aesthetic design. Its appearance also provides us with a window into the power relations of the Eastern Han Dynasty. First of all, judging from the material and craftsmanship of the stone inkstone, it is obviously not something that ordinary people can have. In the Eastern Han Dynasty, the person who could have such a beautiful inkstone must have a higher social status and greater power. The inscription on the stone inkstone "On July 7, the third year of Yanxi, Jun Gao moved to assassinate the history of 2,000 stones" directly pointed out the identity and status of its owner.

In addition, the design of the Panlong stone inkstone also reflects the people's understanding of power and status at that time. The dragon, as a sacred animal, was seen as a symbol of power and status in ancient China. And the design of the six dragons implies that the owner has supreme power. At the same time, the overall shape and decoration of the inkstone also fully reflect the prevailing idea of "death is like life", that is, the power and status of life can still be continued after death.

So, who is the owner of the Panlong Stone Inkstone?Combined with the historical books and the inscriptions on the stone inkstone, we can deduce that the owner of the stone inkstone was the Eastern Han Dynasty eunuch Gu Ying. The Book of the Later Han Dynasty recorded the deeds of Gu Ying in the period of Emperor Huan to quell the rebellion and stabilize the government, and named him the Marquis of Dongwu Yang, with 15,000 households and 2,000 stones. Although there is no record of Gu Yin's other positions in the history books, the inscription on the stone inkstone "History of the High Migration Thorn" provides us with additional information. This shows that Gu Ying is not only a marquis with a prominent status, but also a thorn history with real power. Through the physical evidence of Panlong Shi Yan, we can have a more comprehensive understanding of Gu Jin's life trajectory and political status.

It is worth mentioning that the discovery of Panlong stone inkstone also provides us with a clue to the evolution of the four treasures of the study in the Eastern Han Dynasty. From the grinders of primitive societies to the simple inkstones from the late Warring States period to the Qin Dynasty, and then to the exquisite inkstones of the Eastern Han Dynasty, this evolution process reflects the level of social, cultural and technological development at that time. As one of the earliest and most exquisite inkstones with a clear date, the Panlong stone inkstone is a milestone in this evolutionary process.

To sum up, Panlong stone inkstone is not only an outstanding representative of aesthetics and art in the Eastern Han Dynasty, but also a symbol of power and status. Through it, we can gain insight into the political, cultural, and artistic landscape of the society of the time. At the same time, the discovery of this cultural relic also provides valuable physical evidence for historical research, which helps us to understand and evaluate the historical status and influence of the Eastern Han Dynasty more comprehensively.

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