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5th-century portrait brick depicts tortoise intertwined with snake

Updated: Feb 8, 2025 govt.chinadaily.com.cn Print
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The portrait brick depicting a tortoise intertwined with a snake, Song Dynasty of the Southern Dynasty, from the collection of Henan Museum [Photo/Official WeChat account of Henan Museum]

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.

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