Jinci Wood Carvings of Coiled Dragons: A Millennium-Old Spectacle of "Dragon Shadows"

On a trip to Jinci in Shanxi, the wood carvings of coiled dragons in the Hall of the Holy Mother are undoubtedly the most captivating sight. Each wood carving of a coiled dragon seems to be infused with a soul, with neatly arranged scales and finely detailed whiskers and hair. Despite the passage of a thousand years, their majestic aura remains undiminished, and their vibrant vitality seems ready to burst forth from the wood. Faced with such a masterpiece, I can't help but wonder if the ancient craftsmen truly encountered real dragons to carve them so vividly.

In ancient times, the phrase "Nine-Five Supreme" was used to signify the emperor's authority, with the yang number nine representing supremacy, and the corresponding yin number eight representing the empress. In front of the Hall of the Holy Mother, eight divine dragons coil around the eight columns, perfectly matching this number. Each of these coiled dragons has a unique name and profound meaning. The winged dragon is the Yinglong, the dormant dragon waiting to fly is the Panlong, the dragon with scales is the Jiaolong, and the hornless dragon is the Chilong. On the columns flanking the central plaque, the Yinglong spreads its wings as if about to take flight; the next two columns feature the Panlong, coiled and resting; further out, the Jiaolong appears to be swimming, while the outermost Chilong stands out with its hornless form.

These wood carvings of coiled dragons are considered unparalleled masterpieces of early Tang and Song dynasty wood carving art in China. Time is relentless, and the components of the coiled dragons have shown signs of aging. Every gaze is a precious encounter with historical treasures, making them invaluable and not to be missed.

📍Address: Jinci Park, Jinci Town, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan, Shanxi (Jinci Museum)
🎫Tickets: Full ticket CNY 80 (reservation via "China Jinci")
🕐Hours: 9:00–17:00
🚂Transportation: Take Bus 79 from Taiyuan South Railway Station (East Square) to Jinci Park Station, then walk 1.3 km

Post by WandererDreamer | Dec 3, 2024