Standing in front of the Beijing Capital Museum on the western extension of Chang’an Street, the glass curtain wall reflects the morning light of the ancient capital. This building, carrying the memories of Beijing and even Chinese civilization, is like a silent guardian of time. The museum’s 130,000 artifacts span from the Neolithic Age to modern times, with the “Ten Treasures of the Museum” condensing the essence of three thousand years of civilization — they are not cold relics, but “keys of time” engraved with historical codes, from the totem beliefs of the Hongshan Culture to the splendid crafts of the Qing Dynasty, from the bronze ritual music of the Yan State to the prosperity of the Silk Road in the Yuan Dynasty, each holding the key to unlocking the evolution of Chinese civilization. Today, we follow the threads of these national treasures to embark on a journey through time to explore civilization.
Hongshan Culture Jade Pig-Dragon: The “Totem Code” of the Neolithic Age
The Hongshan Culture, dating back approximately 5,500–5,000 years, is a representative of early civilization in northern China, and the jade pig-dragon in the Capital Museum’s collection is a “living fossil” of this period’s spiritual world. This jade pig-dragon is 15 cm tall, carved from tremolite nephrite, with a lustrous and smooth texture, shaped in a C form: the head resembles a pig, with upright ears, slightly protruding round eyes, and a forward-extending snout; the body is curled, with the tail connecting to the head, and a small hole drilled in the back, suggesting it was hung in sacrificial sites or on the waists of nobles.
Its “code” lies in “totem beliefs” and “jade craftsmanship.” The Hongshan people regarded pigs as important livestock in agricultural civilization and imbued them with the mystical power of dragons, forming a unique “pig-headed dragon body” shape — this is the prototype of the early Chinese nation’s “dragon worship,” marking the transition from nature worship to spiritual totems. The jade carving technique is even more astonishing: artisans used techniques like “openwork carving” and “polishing” to make the hard jade appear soft and fluid, showcasing the advanced craftsmanship of the Neolithic Age. This jade pig-dragon is not just an artifact but a bridge to understanding the spiritual and technological origins of Chinese civilization.
Qing Dynasty Qianlong Blue-and-White and Underglaze Red Heavenly Sphere Vase: The “Pinnacle Craft” of the Prosperous Era
The Qianlong period (1736–1795) of the Qing Dynasty represents the zenith of Chinese porcelain craftsmanship, and the blue-and-white and underglaze red heavenly sphere vase in the Capital Museum’s collection is a masterpiece of this era. This vase, with its elegant spherical body and slender neck, is adorned with blue-and-white and underglaze red patterns, a technique combining cobalt blue and copper red. The firing of blue-and-white requires precise control of kiln temperature, while underglaze red is even more demanding, as the two easily result in “blue-and-white turning black” or “underglaze red losing color” when fired together. Yet, this vase’s blue-and-white and underglaze red colors are flawless, demonstrating the artisans’ mastery.
The vase’s body features “dragon patterns” (symbolizing imperial authority) and “intertwined lotus patterns” (symbolizing auspiciousness), blending imperial majesty with folk blessings, reflecting the “fusion of imperial and folk culture.” The Qianlong period was the Qing Dynasty’s prosperous era, with advanced handicrafts and flourishing culture. This heavenly sphere vase is a “microcosm” of that prosperous civilization, witnessing the culmination and new developments of Chinese civilization in the Qing Dynasty.
Conclusion: Decoding Civilization, Inheriting the Future
From the Hongshan Culture’s jade pig-dragon to the Qianlong heavenly sphere vase, the ten treasures of the Capital Museum are like ten “pearls” linking three thousand years of civilization — they record the totem beliefs of early civilization, witness the establishment of the Western Zhou ritual music system, display the openness and inclusiveness of the Tang Dynasty, confirm the Sino-foreign exchanges of the Silk Road, and highlight the craft pinnacle of the Ming and Qing Dynasties. Each treasure is a “civilizational code,” and by unlocking them, we can understand why Chinese civilization has endured for millennia: it is the adherence to tradition, the pursuit of innovation, and the
inclusiveness and fusion of diverse cultures.
Today, these treasures are quietly displayed in the museum’s showcases, their textures and luster still vibrant under the lights. They are no longer mere “specimens” of distant history but “bridges” connecting the past and the future — when we gaze at the ox-head patterns of the Boju tripod, we feel the craftsmanship of Western Zhou artisans; when we touch the glaze of the blue-and-white phoenix-head flat vase, we imagine the merchant ships of the Yuan Dynasty’s Silk Road; when we admire the “hand-pressing” design of the hand-pressing cup, we experience the wisdom of ancient life. Exploring these treasures is not just a journey through time but a transmission of civilization — only by understanding the past can we better move toward the future.
