Page 313 - Chinese Works of Art Chritie's Mar. 22-23 2018

The Sacrifcial Vessels 宗彞 Aquatic Grass 藻 Grains of Millet 粉米
These vessels, which contain tiger-like creatures, The grass would represent the element of water. The grain is also representative of the wuxing, and
represent bravery and flial piety. They are also is also thought to represent the Spring equinox, as
thought to represent metal, which is one of the wu it was the frst crop.
xing (fve elements). This interpretation is further
supported by its alignment on the robe with the axe-
head, which also would have been made of metal.

Flames 火 The Axe-Head 黼 The Symbol of Distinction (fu) 黻
Another component of the wuxing, the fame The axe-head is symbolic of the Emperor’s power The fu symbol is thought to be a homonym for the
represents the fre element. over life. word which means `to return’, and is also thought
to be related to the Winter solstice.

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