Another Day, another Dynasty… Meet the Hans

Emperor Jingdi's tomb

South Gate to the tomb

Xi’an is one big pile of graves, pottery dumps and other detritus of civilizations gone by.  Every time you visit a new site, you get another mini history lesson about peasants who rise up, challenge those in authority, create a dynasty that eventually crumbles from within or without.

Today’s history lesson is going to be about Emperor Wendi (of course I’d write about him), and his son Emperor Jingdi.   They were both emperors of the Western Han Dynasty.  Jingdi ruled from 157 to 141 BC.  Although it was a short reign, it was so important, it is the name that is given to most of the ethnic Chinese to date – Han.

Pigs buried 1000 years ago

A recreation of what the scenes
would have looked liked when buried

The Han dynasty was a time of openness.  Wen and Jing subscribed to the political doctrine of “wuwei” or noninterference in the lives of their subjects. They reduced taxes, allowed farmers to live and flourish, promoted government cuts and thrift, initiated diplomacy to cut back on unnecessary military expeditions.  They also significantly reduced the harsh punishments usually doled out to criminals.  Before his reign, a thief would have his nose and his feet cut off.  He ended this practice.  

He did require one month of public service from his subjects.  This would involve the construction of public works for the public good.  In short, he was a leader that modern civilizations would have recognized as forward thinking.  Many scholars say that he gained this political vision from his mother, Empress Dou – a devout Taoist—and his father – a firm Confucist.  Confucius Duty married to Taoist Harmony created this golden age.

His tomb is rarely visited by tourists. The Terracotta Warriors get much more press.  But it’s worth a visit.  When Dave and I went there with a local friend, we were the only people in attendance.  

Palace scene in disarray:
figures buried in the grave  pit

The Grounds of the Tomb are empty

Emperor Qin (who buried the Terracotta Warriors) lived about 50 years before and was noted for his brutal hold on society.  He indentured thousands of laborers to build the Great Wall.  He buried the Terracotta Warriors in complete military regalia to defend him as he marched into the next life.    He forced the artists to sign the soldiers’ statues so that if there were any flaws, the artists could be punished.

Jingdi also buried companions to accompany him to the next life.   But rather than set the figures up as  his predecessor did to show off his military might, these figures are set up like Barbie dolls carrying on everyday life.

The tomb has over 40,000 figures, the number and area of the tomb is much greater than the Emperor Qin’s Terracotta Warriors.    There is a kitchen scene, a family life scene, a barnyard scene.  Each figure is about 1/6 the size of normal humans.  They were built with a clay figure and wooden limbs. It looks as though they were dressed in colorful silk clothing.  (The limbs and the clothing has for the most part rotted away.)  They then were set up in large wooden storage boxes and buried in the ground around his tomb.  The contrast is striking.  It looks like a doll’s set rather than an army.

What the figures would have looked like
when buried

 Another legacy, in the tomb, were found the earliest signs of tea leaves, indicating this is when the drinking of tea was established.

The figures that were servants
 had their clothes painted on: 
The  wealthy were dressed in silk. 
over time,the silk has rotted
and the servants are left clothed.

Happy naked  subjects serving their king