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Gold Image of the Great Peng

Hubei Provincial Museum

Hubei Provincial Museum
Wuhan, China

Inside this gold ring is a gold image of the mythical bird the Great Peng. The figure is surrounded by a sun wheel and wears a crown. It has a monkey's face with the beak of an eagle and a third eye between the eyebrows. A snake is wrapped around the waist of the Great Peng, as it grasps two dragons in its mouth, hands, and talons. Its feet rest on two snakes.

The Great Peng, the Chinese form of the Tantric Garuda, is one of the Astagatyah, or eight classes on inhuman beings. These are the mounts of Amoghasiddhi, the northern directional Buddha. As the king of birds, the Great Peng symbolizes the power of a king.

Details

  • Title: Gold Image of the Great Peng
  • Location: Tomb of Prince Zhuang of Liang, Zhongxiang City, Hubei Province
  • Medium: Gold
  • Excavation Date: 2001
  • Dynasty: Ming Dynasty, 1368-1644
  • Dimensions: Diameter: 4cm, weight: 13.8g

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