Early writing on animal bones called "oracle bones" date Chinese history back to 1750 BC and the Shang dynasty. New archeological studies now show that the Chinese culture may be even older, dating back to 2200 BC and the Xia dynasty.

Chinese mythology states that civilization began with Pangu, the creator of the universe. Pangu brought order to chaos. He chiseled out the earth and then separated the sky from the earth. Harmony and balance were established.

The heavens produce the idea of things, the "yang" and the earth gives forth the material forms of these ideas, the "yin."

One of Four Liubo Game Figures
c. 1st century BCE - 1st century CE
Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)
earthenware with pigments
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Gift of Senator Hugh Scott, by exchange, and The Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund.
photo: Katherine Wetzel.

Cylindrical Winepot with Coiling Dragons
Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644) or early Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911)
Blanc de Chine porcelain
Note: Impressed commendation mark on back, P'u-Chi Yu-Jen (Virtue extends to all, even fishermen).
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Gift of John C. Maxwell, Jr. and Adrienne L. Maxwell.
photo: Katherine Wetzel.

One of Four Liubo Game Figures
c. 1st century BCE - 1st century CE
Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)
earthenware with pigments
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Gift of Senator Hugh Scott, by exchange, and The Arthur and Margaret Glasgow Fund.
photo: Katherine Wetzel.

Bi Disk

Origins of the Bi Disk are unknown. Its shape and form go back to the Neolithic age from 10,000 B.C. and onward. Often made from jade or other precious materials, they were used as status symbols and for ritual or symbolic purposes. In the aftermath of war, the inferior were required to hand over their Bi Disks as a sign of submission. In aristocratic burials they were placed above the head, below the feet and on the chest of the deceased. It is believed that the round shape represents the heavens and that in ancient times the Bi Disk was considered the "Ear of Heaven." Sometimes the Bi or hole was held in front of the mouth of a person to allow them to speak to their ancestors. Over the years Bi Disks have continued to become more elaborate and heavily decorated. The Bi Disk remains an important symbol in Chinese culture.

Bi Disk
Han Dynasty (206 BCE - 220 CE)
nephrite, 8 3/4" in diameter
© Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, Richmond
Gift of John C. Maxwell, Jr. and Adrienne L. Maxwell.
photo: Katherine Wetzel.