Weapons of ritual: Ceremonial blades, eternal tales

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Weapons of ritual: Ceremonial blades, eternal tales

Beneath the loess of the Yin Ruins lies a collection of ceremonial weapons that bear witness to the dynastic grandeur of over three thousand years ago—dagger-axes (ge), spears (mao), battle-axes (qi), halberds (yue), arrowheads (zu) and broadswords (dao), each distinct in form. The unsharpened jade objects are smooth and delicately textured, retaining the natural veining unique to jade. A few of these artifacts bear inscriptions recording historical events, are adorned with exquisite patterns, or are inlaid with turquoise. Etched in their ornamental motifs are the ritual systems of the Shang Dynasty, while embodied in the artifacts themselves is the majesty of the royal court—all narrating their tales across the ages.

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