Origin Story of the Phoenix: An Archaeological Perspective

The exhibition showcases some twenty-six symbolic phoenix and dragon artefacts from Neolithic and Shang China. Some highlights of the exhibition include rare jade national treasures from the tomb of Fu Hao, a Shang dynasty queen. Another is a recently discovered white pottery vessel with phoenix motifs, which has never been displayed in China or overseas. The discovery of the Gaomiao-Xiantouling phoenix cultural circle in southern China has reshaped our understanding of ancient East Asian philosophy and ideology. As a result of this important twentieth century archaeological breakthrough, the phoenix symbol can now be traced back to Hunan some 8,000 years ago. Traces of the phoenix dating back approximately 7,000 years have also been found in the Pearl River Delta.

Last year, the CUHK Centre for Chinese Archaeology and Art organised "The First Dragon of China" exhibition. This year, to celebrate the CUHK's golden jubilee, the Centre has decided to focus on the story of the phoenix. The exhibition also reflects on the relationship between these two familiar symbols of Chinese culture. 

Pottery vessel unearthed from Gaomiao. Close-up of an impression of a phoenix with open wings. The circular patterns symbolise the bird deity carrying the sun on its wings.

  


Phoenix motif on an approximately 7,000 year old white pottery vessel unearthed at the Qianjiaping site, Guiyang County, Hunan, China.

 

Shang dynasty jade dragon with protruding eyes from Fu Hao tomb, Henan, China.

Shang dynasty jade dragon from Fu Hao tomb, Henan, China.

Unearthing Hong Kong: Tracing Our Local Roots

The "CHINA UNEARTHED: Soaring Phoenix Rising Dragon" exhibition is the fourth in the exhibition series Forget Me Not: The Historical Roots of Hong Kong. There are over a hundred prehistoric sites in Hong Kong, which are brimming with buried stories and have revealed the history of the phoenix and the dragon in the region. On Lamma Island, archaeologists have found phoenix motifs that are over 6,000 years old and a dragon yazhang, an important ritual object in ancient East Asia, which is approximately 3,300 years old. Hong Kong has a rich and colourful ancient past and it is a shame it has not already been made an integral part of the city's self-image.

Past exhibitions in this series have examined how archaeological research conducted by CUHK has reconstructed Hong Kong's ancient past in the context of the greater Asiatic region. In June 2013, the CUHK's Centre for Chinese Archaeology and Art jointly held an international conference on prehistoric rotary machinery with the Civic and Municipal Affairs Bureau of Macau SAR, the Institute of Archaeology of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and the University of Hong Kong Jao Tsung-I Petite Ecole. The exhibition also displayed the University's contribution to the history of science and technology in China and its surrounding regions. These exhibitions provide plenty of proof that rather than being a culturally barren place, Hong Kong is, in fact, a cultural treasure trove.

Members of the public are welcome to visit the CUHK Art Museum to view these exceptional artefacts. Admission is free. The Centre for Chinese Archaeology and Art will also present its full-colour, bilingual exhibition catalogue, titled "Soaring Phoenix Rising Dragon", at the exhibition. The publication is currently available for sale at HK$50. Proceeds will go towards supporting public education on archaeology. Details of the "CHINA UNEARTHED: Soaring Phoenix Rising Dragon" exhibition are as follows: