The Han Dynasty, like the Zhou before it, is
divided into two distinct periods, the
Western Han (206 B.C.-9 A.D.) and the
Eastern Han (23-220 A.D.) with a brief
interlude. Towards the end of the Western
period, a series of weak emperors ruled the
throne, controlled from behind the scenes by
Wang Mang and Huo Guang, both relatives
of empresses. They both exerted enormous
influence over the government and when the
last emperor suddenly passed away, Mang
became ruling advisor, seizing this
opportunity to declare his own Dynasty, the
Xin, or “New.” However, another popular
uprising began joined by the members of the
Liu clan, the family that ruled the Han
Dynasty, the Xin came to a quick end and
the Eastern Han was established in its place
with its capital at Loyang (Chang’an, the
capital of the Western Han, was completely
destroyed).
However, even as Chinese influence spread
across Southeastern Asia into new lands, the
Eastern Han Dynasty was unable to recreate
the glories of the Western Period. In fact,
this period can be characterized by a bitter
power struggle amongst a group of five
consortial clans. These families sought to
control the young, weak emperors with their
court influence. Yet, as the emperors
became distrustful of the rising power of the
clans, they relied upon their eunuchs to
defend them, often eliminating entire families
at a time. During the Western Han, the
Emperor was viewed as the center of the
universe. However, this philosophy slowly
disintegrated under the weak, vulnerable
rulers of the Eastern Han, leading many
scholars and officials to abandon the court.
Eventually, the power of the Han would
completely erode, ending with its dissolution
and the beginning of the period known as
the “Three Kingdoms.”
Sculptures of pigs are frequently buried
alongside noble members of society during
the Han Dynasty. Sculpted in all media, the
pig was a symbol of wealth as well as a
staple of the menu for the afterlife. As was
the custom, sculpted effigies of animals were
interred as food sources in the next world.
While some animals were meant to labor in
the next world, others, such as this boar,
were clearly meant for consumption. The
Han viewed the afterlife as an extension of
our earthly lives. Thus, the things that we
enjoyed in this world were continual enjoyed
in the next. Likewise, as humans require
food to nourish and sustain us while on
earth, sculpted animals were buried to
provide energy in the afterlife. This standing
pig appears to comprehend his role in the
afterlife. His snarling mouth with subtle
fangs reveals his hesitance to be anybody’s
meal. In fact, the facial structure of this hog
is quite reminiscent of snarling terracotta
dog sculptures that served the same
function. The defined musculature of the
beast further emphasizes his power.
However, it is this power that will be
transferred to the deceased through the
symbolic consumption of his “meat.”
Originally, this pig was created to provide
sustenance in the next world. However,
today, it nourishes our eyes with its
tremendous beauty and fills our minds with
its tremendous cultural and historical value.
- (H.640)
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