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Huaxia - Nine Tripods of the Prosperous Era
2020-07-06
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The tripod, originating in the Xia Dynasty and flourishing in the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, has been a symbol of national importance and royal power since ancient times, representing China's bronze culture. Tripods served multiple purposes: firstly, as sacrificial vessels; legend says the emperor cast three tripods symbolizing Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, while Yu the Great cast nine tripods from the metal of the nine provinces, symbolizing the nine regions and becoming national treasures. Secondly, as ritual vessels, they recorded achievements and were displayed in ancestral temples and courts during ceremonies to Heaven and ancestors. Thirdly, as cooking vessels, with fire built beneath to boil oil and cook food. Fourthly, as ornamental vessels, displayed in halls and rooms by royalty, officials, and scholars to demonstrate status and refined taste.
In today's prosperous era, the tripod symbolizes prosperity, peace, and good fortune, bringing wealth and protection. Displaying a bronze tripod at home signifies respect for nature, harmony between humanity and nature, and overall auspiciousness, further symbolizing wealth and status.
II. Design Concept
The contemporary Nine Tripods of the Prosperous Era, meticulously designed and crafted by the Henan Huaxia Bronze Art Molding Research Institute, are named after Heaven, Earth, Humanity, Harmony, Fortune, Rank, Longevity, Joy, and Wealth. Heaven, Earth, and Humanity symbolize the unity of Heaven, Earth, and Humanity, the righteous path, harmony with nature, and universal harmony; Fortune, Rank, Longevity, Joy, and Wealth are auspicious cultural symbols deeply rooted in the hearts of the Chinese people, encompassing the Chinese worldview and outlook on life. The pursuit of blessings, advancement, longevity, joy, and wealth are eternal aspirations, embodying Chinese ethics, consciousness of life, religious sentiments, and aesthetic tastes, with a long and profound history.
Bearing the weight of traditional Chinese culture, the Nine Tripods of the Prosperous Era, with their forms, decorations, and inscriptions, embody the timeless meaning of auspicious culture and a simple yet elegant appearance, making them cultural treasures for personal collection or gifting.
III. Form Overview
1 Technical Parameters
The Nine Tripods of the Prosperous Era are all made of bronze, with round bodies and square bases, reflecting the traditional concept of a circular altar representing Heaven and a square base representing Earth. They are 36 cm high, with a mouth diameter of 21.8 cm, a belly diameter of 20.8 cm, a base side length of 27 cm, a base height of 9 cm, and weigh 9.8 kg. They feature high handles, a wide, square lip, a flat mouth, a constricted neck, a full belly, and wide feet for stability. Various techniques are used in their decoration, including gold plating, gold inlay, coloring, and antique finishes.
2 Decorative Description
Heaven Tripod ： The tripod handles are decorated with dragons and phoenixes, with the Chinese character for "Heaven" ("天") in gold between the dragon and phoenix heads. The neck is decorated with sun, moon, and stars; the sun and moon are based on patterns from Yangshao pottery, while the stars depict the Big Dipper and the Southern Dipper. The belly features cloud and thunder patterns commonly seen on ancient bronze tripods, reflecting ancient people's understanding of the celestial bodies and natural phenomena.
Inscription: Great is the Primordial Beginning, Supreme and Exalted. The Heaven Tripod is offered in sacrifice, for everlasting life.
Earth Tripod ： The tripod handles are decorated with dragons and phoenixes, with the Chinese character for "Earth" ("地") in gold between the dragon and phoenix heads. The neck is decorated with paired silkworm patterns. The belly is decorated with ox head patterns. The earth's virtue supports all things, and all things are born from the earth. Oxen are associated with earth, working the land; mulberry cultivation and sericulture, diligence and the earth's bounty, agricultural production, and the earth's virtue protecting the people.
Inscription: The earth supports all things, the dragon veins extend far. The Earth Tripod is offered in ritual, for harmony among all nations.
Humanity Tripod ： The tripod handles are decorated with dragons and phoenixes, with the Chinese character for "Humanity" ("人") in gold between the dragon and phoenix heads. The neck features figures dancing in pairs, and the belly features human face patterns, both based on Yangshao painted pottery patterns. This reflects the ancient people's understanding of themselves and their self-awareness.
Inscription: Countless living beings, the vast universe. The Humanity Tripod is offered in prayer, for the peace and well-being of the people.
Harmony Tripod: The tripod handles are decorated with dragons and phoenixes, with the Chinese character for "Harmony" ("和") in gold between the dragon and phoenix heads. The neck is decorated with hooked patterns, and the main pattern on the belly is a dragon and phoenix harmoniously together, reflecting the essence of Chinese harmony and humanistic spirit.
Inscription: Harmonizing the musical scale, the dragon and phoenix sing in harmony. The Harmony Tripod is complete, signifying trust and peace.
Fortune Tripod ： The tripod handles are decorated with dragons and phoenixes, with the Chinese character for "Fortune" ("福") in gold between the dragon and phoenix heads. The neck is also decorated with dragon and phoenix patterns. The belly features five characters for "Fortune" ("福") on a background of interwoven patterns; a large character in the center and four smaller characters surrounding it, symbolizing the arrival of five blessings.
Inscription: Wealth, honor, longevity, and peace. The Fortune Tripod prays for blessings, for health, longevity, and peace.
Rank Tripod: The tripod handles are decorated with dragons and phoenixes, with the Chinese character for "Rank" ("禄") in gold between the dragon and phoenix heads. The neck is decorated with paired deer patterns, a homophone for "rank." The main decoration on the belly is Kui Xing pointing at the stars, symbolizing success in the imperial examinations.
Inscription: Blessings and rank are abundant, rank and destiny. The Rank Tripod blesses generations, and the benevolent are richly rewarded.
Longevity Tripod ： The tripod handles are decorated with dragons and phoenixes, with the Chinese character for "Longevity" ("寿") in gold between the dragon and phoenix heads. The neck is encircled with longevity character patterns. In the center of the belly is a tortoise, with a ribbon bird on each side, symbolizing longevity like a tortoise and endless life.
Inscription: Eating the spiritual herbs of Kunlun, long life and many years. The Longevity Tripod offers blessings, for a long and honored life.
Joy Tripod ： The tripod handles are decorated with dragons and phoenixes, with the Chinese character for "Joy" ("喜") in gold between the dragon and phoenix heads. The neck is decorated with dragon and phoenix auspicious patterns. The main pattern on the belly is branches spreading out, using the image of flourishing trees to symbolize marriage and the prosperity of descendants.
Inscription: Harmonious as a zither and a lute, love and celebration. The Joy Tripod brings good news, and great joy.
Wealth Tripod The tripod is decorated with three strings; a round, square-holed coin in the center, and knife currency patterns on the sides of the ears. The neck is decorated with patterns of kui dragons, phoenixes, and birds. The belly of the tripod features sheep-bodied, human-faced glutton patterns, symbolizing the three yangs opening up to prosperity and financial success.
Inscription: The Dao generates wealth; the benevolent become rich; the tripod gathers gold; jade and pearls are stored.
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