Silent Devotion

The Significance of the Horse in Ancient Chinese Art

Ancient Chinese dynasties came to power by might and persuasion. They stayed in power through their lineage. But something had to carry them.

China was once a land of warring tribes and factions. Strong leadership was needed to stop tribes from destroying each other. Once an emperor was in place, to unify the land, he needed a strong and swift military to enforce laws or decrees.

The success of those armies came boiled down to the quality of military and their skill. Under each solder was their animal - the most powerful swift and dominant breed known to them.

The horse played a crucial role in the development and dominance of the Chinese Empire. The ability for a dynasty to mobilize its armies swiftly and decisively and to enact trade is what kept them in power, and also accounted for their longevity.

There is artifact evidence of the horse’s importance as far back as the Shang Dynasty (1766 BC - 1027 BC) - where horses were depicted in paintings pulling chariots. Even in the long Zhou Dynasty (1122 BC - 256 BC) the horse was shown to have played an important role in the military cavalry.

In the dynasties that followed, as China grew more prosperous, the horse became even more celebrated. This can be attributed to one special and somewhat mythological breed: the Ferghana.

Emperor Wu, the ruler of the Han Dynasty (207 BC - 220 AD), found out about a legendary horse that was believed to “sweat blood.” Wu sent armies to the far western reaches of the empire to a nation called Bactria, an area we now know as Afghanistan, where tribesmen bred a horse with unusually strong, stout front legs and posture.

Emperor Wu knew, he had to have them. In this area, these horses flourished and commanded a high price, if indeed they were ever allowed to be sold. Wu’s emissaries offered Bactria’s rulers large amounts of gold for their Ferghana horses, but when they refused, China went to war with them. Chinese armies suffered heavy losses but were victorious and Bactria was forced to hand over the best of the Ferghana breed to the Chinese empire. The horses were bred by the thousands and became widely used in agriculture, transportation, and particularly by the military.

It was accessibility to the Silk Trade Route that brought the culture of western Europe to China. The crossroads city of Samarkand was the center of Central Asia and commerce enacted there, highly facilitated the mercantile trade from both eastern and western affluent European nations as well as the entire middle east.

It was a turning point for China. The Han Dynasty prospered, and so did the art and culture of that era. Surviving examples of horses exist today from the Han Dynasty provinces of Sichuan, Shandong, and Xiau. They were made of gray, white and the familiar terra cotta reddish brown clay.

While examples of the Ferghana horse first appeared the Western Han Dynasty, they became more detailed during the Northern Wei dynasty (386 - 534 AD) and the Northern Qi dynasty (550 - 577 AD). Depictions showed arched necks, proud protruding chests, and the use of flowing blankets to depict the horse in flight. The horses were also adorned with various ornamentations, such as shells and bells to sound their coming. Existing examples from the Northern Qi are from the province of Hebei. They are made of gray clay.

But it was during the Tang Dynasty (618 - 906 AD) that art and culture reached its peak. Horses were most detailed during this period and this paralleled the growth and ascendancy of Chinese culture. Horses continued to be used for transportation along the Silk Trade Route where caravans brought and exchanged goods in Samarkand. China was now linked even more deeply with western cultures. Goods of all kinds were brought back to China and the influence was strongly evidenced in the art of the time period.

Aside from obvious military and commercial usage, horses were ridden by the upper class for recreational purposes. In sculpture, women in particular, were shown wearing fashionable clothes and also riding horses for enjoyment. Examples from this era show women wearing slimmer skirts and dresses, short-sleeved jackets and fashionable blouses with lower cut necklines, along with western hats that were worn atop head scarfs. The artistry showed the horse in an unprecedented form of realism.

During the Ming Dynasty 1368 AD - 1644 AD, relations with the west continued to be strengthened through increasing trade. This brought about a cultural exchange with western nations as Asia had never experienced. But although transportation and industry were changed by invention and eventually the Industrial Age, the horse was still a dominant force behind Chinese prosperity.

High quality examples of white clay sculpture exist from the Ming Dynasty and are from Shanxi Province. These pieces were fired at the highest temperature and as old as they are, they are noted as being the strongest and most durable of ancient Chinese sculpture.

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How serious are the math and science offerings at The Dragon?
The required curriculum of The Dragon mandates math and sciences through the senior levels for all students. Our teaching supports the centrality of mathematical reasoning beyond puzzle solving, and our integration of work in the sciences and mathematics with work in the arts and humanities counteracts fractured specialization. We offer a balanced and intellectually rigorous education, with equal emphasis on and strength in the sciences and mathematics.As far as I know, there are only four dragons. And right now we’re all pretty much active, I believe. But you’ll have to ask Emerald Fire. As much as I love butting into everyone’s business, I’m not technically the voice of authority around here.” She grins crookedly at Emerald Fire, winking conspicuously. — Diamonds at Dusk, 15:42:41 03/20/01 Tue Looks at the other dragon mock venemously.

Is everyone in the dragon community a dragon?
No. All races are welcome. The dragon community runs the gamut from dragons to humans to wolves to gryphons, shapeshifters, fish, etc. (See “How do I join the dragon community?” above.) Even among the dragons themselves, though, there will be the unfortunate but inevitable contingent of wanna-bes — the people who don’t believe they are dragons, but say they are.As far as I know, there are only four dragons. And right now we’re all pretty much active, I believe. But you’ll have to ask Emerald Fire. As much as I love butting into everyone’s business, I’m not technically the voice of authority around here.” She grins crookedly at Emerald Fire, winking conspicuously. — Diamonds at Dusk, 15:42:41 03/20/01 Tue Looks at the other dragon mock venemously.

Is The Dragon co-educational?
Yes, although we do seem to have more boys than girls at present. But our close community encourages friendships, not romantic pursuit. Our students have the opportunity through each others circle of friends to meet “the other”, but the atmosphere within school is not so overheated, and more relaxed and productive than it is in many schools where dating is a key issue.Dragon was founded in London on July 18th. 1990. Our first campaign was to help save Oxleas Wood, which still thrives today.

Why Insurance Dragon?
Most clients see only 2 or 3 quotes for each insurance renewal, even though there are many insurance options for every type of risk. (Nearly every client is told there are very few insurance companies interested in their industry. Our experience has shown that this is almost never true.) The biggest problem is that clients don’t have time to meet with all the insurance sales personnel who are interested in bidding.One either is or is not a dragon, and trying to “become” one is rather like trying to change sexes without the proper medical procedure. In short, people cannot “become” dragons. However: This is not to say that dragons always know who they are! Very few are born with the knowledge of their inner draconity; most have to grow into it and discover it. Draconity is just as legitimate if discovered late in life.

What is a dragon?
A dragon, or dragon kin, is a human being who has the soul or spirit of a dragon. Some dragons believe they were a dragon in a past life, and have now been reincarnated into a human body, but still carry many personality traits and mannerisms that reflect their dragon self. Many dragon kin also have memories of their past lives as a dragon. However, not all dragons believe they were a dragon in their past.Instead of a “homework policy” stipulating any set number of hours of homework, the students learn time management and resource allocation.

Why is the school called The Dragon Academy?
The dragon is a universal mythological creature, in most fables, they guard treasures, have the power of flight and are powerful, wise and intelligent. We chose the dragon as our mascot because it suggests the quest for self-discovery and also excellence. Also, coincidentally we founded the school in the Chinese Year of the Dragon.A dragon, or dragon kin, is a human being who has the soul or spirit of a dragon. Some dragons believe they were a dragon in a past life, and have now been reincarnated into a human body, but still carry many personality traits and mannerisms that reflect their dragon self. Many dragon kin also have memories of their past lives as a dragon.