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Disinformation report hotline: 010-85061466
A file photo shows a jade loong on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing. /CFP
Throughout history, the Chinese dragon, known as the loong, has been regarded as a cultural totem and spiritual symbol. Numerous designs and motifs depicting the "loong" can be observed among archaeological artifacts. Among these is an exquisite jade object known as the "First Loong of China," unearthed in 1971 in the Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.
The jade loong has a deep green color and an overall curled shape resembling the letter "C." The snout extends forward with a tightly closed mouth , and protruding diamond-shaped eyes. The mane stands out prominently.
A file photo shows details of the jade loong on display at the National Museum of China in Beijing. /CFP
The Hongshan Culture is one of the significant Neolithic cultures of northeast China, and dating back 5,000 to 6,500 years. The jade loong is a representative object of the Hongshan Culture, showcasing the maturity and high level of carving technologies of Chinese jade artifacts.
The purpose of the jade loong is still inconclusive. remains a mystery to unveil. Given its height of 26 centimeters, it is evidently not a mere ornament. It is speculated to have been a ritual object used as a religious totem or for sacrificial purposes. This artifact is the earliest physical representation of the Chinese loong totem.
In 2013, China's National Cultural Heritage Administration included it in the "List of Chinese cultural relics forbidden to be exhibited abroad," and it is currently housed in the National Museum of China, serving as a treasure of the museum.