This exceptional jade artifact from the Hongshan culture features a flat rectangular form with a symmetrical cloud-shaped design and a face bearing two eyes. The jade has a pale green color with visible calcification, and the overall thinness of the piece demonstrates advanced craftsmanship rarely seen in prehistoric artifacts.
Uniquely shaped like a fanged animal, this jade tablet is a distinctive symbol of the Hongshan cultural tradition. It is adorned with horizontal lines across the body, and the front and back of the face include twin small oval holes believed to represent eyes, slits for eyebrows, and vertical perforations for “folded fangs.” The presence of seven long vertical slits—more than usual—highlights its symbolic emphasis. Horizontal and curved slits between the eyes and cloud motifs enhance the impression of layered expression.
The symmetrical structure and delicately modeled inner curves reflect both aesthetic mastery and spiritual symbolism. A comparable example was excavated from Tomb No. 27, Zone 1, Site 2 at the renowned Niuheliang site, further underscoring the artifact’s cultural and archaeological significance.
This jade piece is not merely decorative but offers insights into Hongshan cosmology, shamanism, and ritual practice.
