The dragon is a mythical animal in ancient Chinese legends, with horns and whiskers, and claws, which can make clouds and rain and benefit all things. In Chinese culture, dragons have an important place and influence. From the Neolithic Age, which had no written records thousands of years ago, to the Yin Shang Dynasty, the Western Zhou Dynasty, and then to the Warring States and Pre-Qin periods, the totems, utensils, and ornaments about the image of the dragon emerged in an endless stream, with wings, without wings, soaring, sitting and lying, and in different forms. The Year of the Dragon is approaching, and we invite you to appreciate the "dragon" of Fengtai.
Don Bronze Sitting Dragon).
In 1981, it was unearthed in the tomb of Shi Siming, Wang Zuo Town, Fengtai District, with a height of 165cm, now in the Capital Museum. The bronze sitting dragon is exquisitely made, the shape is peculiar, the dragon's head is slightly oblique to the left, looking downward, the eyes are round and angry, the dragon's mouth is wide open, there is a flame bead on the neck, the mane is raised backwards, the dragon scales are clearly visible, its forelimbs are erect, there are five claws, the hind limbs are bent, there are three claws, the whole is squatting, the wings are stretched, the tail is worn and rolled up to the waist, showing the momentum of being ready to go.
The bronze sitting dragon unearthed from the tomb of Shi Siming is the earliest bronze sitting dragon seen in China at present, which not only highlights the identity of the owner, but also is used to ward off evil spirits.
Ming Jade Dragon with Hook).
Unearthed in Wangzuo Town, Fengtai District, 140cm, width 22cm, height 35cm, now in the Fengtai District Cultural Relics Management Office. The jade dragon with hook jade is soft and lush, the hook head becomes a dragon's head, and the belly is carved out of the dragon that wants to fly, forming the scene of the double dragon dialogue, the hook handle bends upward, the whole hook shape is exquisite, the image is vivid, and the carving lines are smooth and full of changes. The decorative pattern with a hook means "flying dragon in the sky, official luck is prosperous".
The belt hook is the hook of the belt worn by the ancient nobles and literati and warriors (as shown below), and it is also known as "rhinobi" in ancient times. It is mostly cast in bronze, but also made of jade, iron, etc. They come in different forms, with diverse crafts and different meanings.
Ming jade open-carved dragon pattern belt plate).
Unearthed in 1985 in Changxindian 618 factory, 6cm long, 52cm wide, 07cm, now in the Fengtai District Cultural Relics Management Office. The jade open-carved dragon pattern belt plate is made of white jade and has a slight yellow spot. The belt plate is rectangular in shape, and the openwork pattern is undulating and vivid, and the design is exquisite. The shape of the jade dragon is vivid, the dragon body is curved, the dragon's head looks sideways, the four claws are open, the dragon claws are solid and powerful, the surrounding openwork grass flower ornamentation, the whole composition is full, the lines are smart and smooth, and the depiction is vivid and detailed.
The jade belt plate, also known as the jade belt span, is inlaid on the belt (as shown below), is a symbol of identity and status in ancient times, and the number and ornamentation of the jade belt plate worn by different grades of ** have strict regulations, ranging from a dozen to more than twenty. The style of openwork dragon wearing flowers is the most classic in the jade belt plate of the Ming Dynasty.
Daiwang Temple) Lugou Bridge west has a late Qing Dynasty building - Daiwang Temple, the local old people also call it "Dawang Temple", in 2013 announced as Fengtai District has not yet been approved and announced as a cultural protection unit of immovable cultural relics.
Daiwang Temple was built in the 21st year of Guangxu in the Qing Dynasty (1895), sits in the north and faces south, there are three main halls, nine rooms in the east and west halls, the mountain gate and the theater building. The mountain gate and the theater are connected as a whole, the first floor of the mountain gate is a stone arched coupon door, the head of the door arc is carved in the middle of the dragon of the probe, hovering in the auspicious clouds, there are two dragons playing on both sides, the lower part is carved with a small beast that spits water between the mountains and stones in the water, the shape is peculiar, the form is realistic, the carving is fine, lifelike, presents a vivid and interesting picture, adds a smart color to the arch coupon door.
Legend has it that every year during the flood season, people find a turtle or snake from the Yongding River and enshrine it in the main hall. The theater was prepared for the singing of a big opera for it, and at that time a sacrificial ceremony was held to pray for the people to be spared from the floods.
*Before and after, it was changed to Jingzhao Normal School. When the "77 Incident" broke out in 1937, it was the headquarters of the 3rd Battalion of the 219th Regiment of the 109th Brigade of the 37th Division of the 29th Army.
The Year of the Dragon has arrived, and finally, I wish you all a prosperous Dragon, a dragon and a tiger leap, the spirit of the Dragon and a horse, and a good Year of the Dragon!
*: Fengtai Times.
Contributed by: Cultural Tourism Fengtai.
Editor: Yuan Zifeng.