1-234-237 - The Museum of East Asian Art/Heritage Images

One of a set of four zodiac tomb figures, early Northern Song dynasty, China, 960-1050. One of a rare set of four zodiac tomb figures clothed and standing on pronounced plinths. The heads are of animal form (dragon, horse, rat and tiger) and are well modelled with extensive traces of yellow and red pigment. This example is the rat-headed figure. The dragon headed figure is holding a plaque depicting a rice sheaf, the others all have arms hidden by voluminous sleeves which cover hands clasped in front of their bodies. This set of figures with human bodies and animal heads represents three of the cycle of 12 years in which each year is associated with a specific animal. In Chinese they are called 'shengxiao' meaning birth and resemblence. From this it became a common belief that the animals influence a person's character.