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Lacquer clothing chest records constellations from 2,400 years ago
Updated: Mar 18, 2025
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This Warring States Period (475-221 BC) lacquerware is more than just a clothing chest – it's a window into ancient Chinese astronomy!
On its lid, Azure Dragon of the East and White Tiger of the West are painted on two sides. At the center of the lid is a bold Chinese character representing the Big Dipper, surrounded by the names of the Twenty-Eight Mansions, showcasing the wisdom and starry dreams of Chinese ancestors.
Unearthed from the Tomb of Marquis Yi of Zeng in Suixian county, Hubei, this is the earliest known artifact in China bearing the full list of the Twenty-Eight Mansions. Collection: Hubei Provincial Museum.
