With Chinese zodiac year of the dog around the corner, a dog theme exhibition was kicked off at Nanjing Museum, where most of the exhibits help audiences know more about dogs in Chinese culture. /Xinhua Photo

Since the Anthropolithic age in China, the burial culture has prevailed. Pottery dogs displayed at the exhibition were found buried with dead in the Eastern Han Dynasty, during which dog was one of the objects of the totemism, representing birth, blessings and prosper. /Xinhua Photo

The visitors showed a keen interest in the dog-themed relics in the museum. /Xinhua Photo

Nanjing Museum, located in eastern Jiangsu Province, is one of the biggest museums in China. /Xinhua Photo