Terra-cotta Figurines of the Twelve Birth Signs: Dragon

Period: Tang dynasty (618–907)

Medium: clay

Dimensions: height: 20 cm, width: 5.5 cm

By the Sui (581–618) and Tang (618–907) dynasties at the latest, the twelve Chinese birth signs (shengxiao) were included pervasively among burial goods in tombs and arranged in proper sequence around tomb chambers. Commonly seen depictions are those with human bodies and animal heads or human figures holding one of the birth-sign animals in their hands. This standing terra-cotta figure is covered in a layer of powdery, white slip and has the head of a dragon and a human body wearing a broad-sleeved robe while making a version of the cupped palm-over-fist gesture (gongshou). The figure’s eyes, mane, and other features are depicted with precision and vividness.