China Crafted | Heavenly Han: Life, death and the art of immortality

Here's a world where death does not mark an end, but a continuation. It's a place where the objects of daily life follow their owner into eternity. It's a realm where lacquered vessels still hold traces of meals, silk still remembers the body that wore it, and smoke rises as a bridge between this world and the one above.

It is the world of Heavenly Han, an immersive virtual exhibition that introduces crafts from China's Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 220) through the lens of Lady Dai, or Xin Zhui, a noblewoman whose life and even "afterlife" were preserved in extraordinary detail.

Heavenly Han is part of China Crafted – the latest edition of CGTN's Art Series – that invites you to explore the beauty of ancient Chinese artifacts from four major dynasties: Shang, Han, Tang and Song.

The discovery of Mawangdui tombs, where Lady Dai was laid to rest over two millennia ago, and the vessels unearthed show how the Han Dynasty fused their idea of a spiritual realm with daily life through art.

Her tomb, one of the most remarkable archaeological finds in the world, contained thousands of artifacts and an exceptionally well-preserved body, offering a rare and intimate glimpse into Han life.

From lacquered dining sets and silk garments to cosmetic cases and incense burners, each object reflects not only material sophistication but a worldview shaped by continuity between life and death.

The artifacts also tell a story of Han etiquette and hospitality. Lacquered plates and cups bear inscriptions such as "please enjoy the food" and "please enjoy the wine," with some plates even featuring a protective cat motif as a watchful figure for the meal.

Other objects reveal refinement and care. A multi-tiered lacquer cosmetic case holds personal items, ranging from combs and powders to silk accessories, illustrating ancient beauty routines.

Together, they reconstruct a picture of life in an elite household – from meals and gatherings to quiet, private moments.

Heavenly Han also reveals how the Han elite understood the world beyond. Incense burners, especially the iconic Boshan censers shaped like mountain peaks, present mystic landscapes.

When lit, smoke rises through them like drifting clouds, embodying the belief that it could carry offerings – and perhaps the soul itself – toward the heavens.

This vision is also echoed in the visual language of Han craftsmanship. Flowing cloud motifs, inherited from earlier traditions, evolve into dynamic patterns.

Representing qi, or air, as a vital force of the universe, these designs transform objects into expressions of cosmic movement.

Every object in Lady Dai's tomb reflects continuity, belief and care. Lacquerware preserves daily rituals, textiles embody elegance and status, while incense and imagery point toward a carefully imagined afterlife.

With Heavenly Han, history moves beyond preservation into experience, creating a world where life, death and immortality are bound together through lacquerware, silk and calmly rising smoke.