Hetian Seed Material-Tiger Shape (Tiger is the King) Pill Jar
Dimensions: 10cm long, 7cm wide, 8cm high
A Han Dynasty Tiger-Shaped Medicine Jar: The fusion of Hetian seed material and ancient craftsmanship in medicinal culture
Among the numerous artifacts unearthed from Han Dynasty tombs, a tiger-shaped medicine jar made of Hetian seed material, a prime example of this period jade, is a valuable artifact for studying Han Dynasty medicine, funeral customs, and artistic aesthetics. Its unique material, ancient color, and exquisite craftsmanship make it a valuable asset for studying Han Dynasty medicine, funeral customs, and artistic aesthetics. The smooth lines of the overall design, the majestic yet vivid tiger shape, imbued with profound cultural significance.
1. The Preciousness of Hetian Seed Material
This jar is carved from Hetian seed material (the lid is made of aged porcelain pine, which can fetch thousands of yuan per piece, and the red on the lid is Xinjiang red tourmaline). Seed material, the finest and most oily variety of Hetian jade, requires millions of years of river erosion and mineral infiltration to form. When unearthed, its surface shone with a warm, oily luster, a deep bluish-white color. Parts of it, due to the penetration of iron from the burial environment, have developed a natural light brown patina. This "ancient color" bears witness to the passage of time and reflects the meticulous selection of materials for Han Dynasty jade.
In the Han Dynasty, the tiger was revered as "a yang object, the king of all beasts," and held religious functions as a ward off evil spirits and a guardian of tombs. Ying Shao's "Comprehensive Meanings of Customs" states, "The tiger is capable of fighting and crushing sharp objects, and is fond of preying on ghosts and spirits." Therefore, tiger-shaped vessels were often used in tombs to protect the deceased's soul. The simple lines of the tiger pattern on this jar, with its wide-open eyes and powerful claws, reflect the Han Dynasty artisans' precise grasp of animal form and a subtle reverence for the afterlife.
1. Symbolic Meaning of Color
The bluish-white color and natural patina of Hetian seed material held special meanings in Han Dynasty culture. Green, associated with "Eastern Wood," symbolizes vitality and longevity; white, associated with "Western Gold," represents purity and immortality. The combination of these two elements not only aligns with the elixir's functional purpose of prolonging life, but also implicitly aligns with the Han Dynasty's cosmological concept of the "intergeneration of the Five Elements." This color choice reflects the Han Dynasty's philosophical reflections on medicine and life.
This Han Dynasty Hetian seed-material tiger-shaped elixir jar, a vessel that conveys truth, integrates practical medicine, religious beliefs, and artistic aesthetics, serving as a microcosm of Han Dynasty society and culture. Its ancient hue bears witness to the passage of time, its exquisite craftsmanship reflects the ingenuity of the artisans, and the tiger-shaped motif embodies the living's hope for the afterlife. Today, when we gaze upon this thousand-year-old artifact, we can still sense the vibrant vitality within its tiger stripes, as well as humanity's relentless pursuit of health and eternity throughout history. It is not only a treasure of Traditional Chinese Medicine but also a testament to the diverse and intertwined civilizations of the Han Dynasty.