Nine-Dragon Wall, Datong (Datong, China) : Detail of base (damaged and rebuilt) with different registers; top register under the large dragons

Published/Created:

Datong, Shanxi, China
Dàdōng Street, southern side (moved 10 m from original site in 1954)
1392

Physical Description:

20 m (height) x 45.5 m (length) x 8 m (depth)

Date Depicted:

6/9/2009

Materials:

glazed polychrome ceramic tile

Notes:

The number nine is special in China as it is the largest possible single digit, and Chinese dragons are frequently connected with it. The dragon, specifically yellow or golden dragons with five claws on each foot, was a symbol for the emperor in many Chinese dynasties. The Nine Dragon Screen at Datong was built in 1392. Intended to avert evil spirits, it originally stood in front of the palace of the viceroy of Shanxi Province, the 13th son of the Hongwu emperor (reigned 1368-1398); the palace burnt down in the mid-17th century. The screen is covered with glazed ceramic tiles in five colors. Just above the base are small figures of lions, tigers, elephants, qilin (mythical unicorn-like animals) and other animals, and above these are nine large dragons in high relief, rising from waves. The dragons all have four claws, used with imperial nobility and certain high-ranking officials. The top is shaped as a roof, with tiles and ridge acroteria. The screen was moved some 10 meters in 1954.

Variant Titles:

九龙壁

Topics:

Architecture -- China -- 14th century -- (YVRC)
Ceramics -- China -- Ming dynasty, 1368-1644 -- (YVRC)

Period/Style:

Ming dynasty, 1368-1644

Culture:

Chinese

Accession Number:

1A2-CH-D-NDWD-A38

Coordinates:

+40.091944+113.296855

Genre:

architectural elements: walls (AAT)
ceramics (objects) (AAT)

Format:

Image

Content Type:

Furnishings & Decorative Arts
Sculptures, Models, & Architecture
Tools, Equipment & Instruments

Rights:

Copyright Scott Gilchrist, Archivision, Inc
The use of this image may be subject to the copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) or to site license or other rights management terms and conditions. The person using the image is liable for any infringement.

Access Restrictions:

Yale Community Only

Digital:

architectural elements; walls; visual works; sculpture (visual work); reliefs (sculptures) animal; architecture; rulers and leaders; numerology; mythical beasts

Source Creator:

Gilchrist, Scott

Source Title:

Archivision Addition Module Seven

Source Created:

2878 Chamonix, Montreal QC
Archivision, Inc.
6/9/2009 12:00:00 AM

Source Note:

Purchase, Visual Resources Collection, May, 2011; photographer Scott Gilchrist

Yale Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Digital Collection:

Visual Resources Collection

Local Record Number:

4349

OID:

10471281

PID:

digcoll:1817255