Long-Eared Shamanic Jade Figure with Twin Zoomorphic Fusion from the Hongshan Culture (Late Neolithic, ca. 3500–3000 BCE): Symbolism and Mineralogical Study
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Author / Автор: Professor Nona Dronova, D.Sc.ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0007-4867-9074 Abstract / Аннотация This paper presents and interprets a long-eared anthropomorphic jade figure of the Hongshan culture (northeastern China, ca. 3500–3000 BCE), carved from greenish-olive, slightly zonal tremolite–actinolite nephrite with authentic burial patina.The object unites two zoomorphic profiles fused in a single body, with a dominant pair of elongated ear-like crests.Drawing on archaeological parallels and iconographic analysis, the study argues that the ears symbolise extra-sensory hearing and shamanic transformation, while the fused animals express dual cosmological forces (earth/sky, life/death).Mineralogical examination indicates sourcing from the Xiuyan nephrite deposits exploited by Hongshan artisans.The research situates this figure within the complex ritual, fertility, and ancestral cults of Late Neolithic Northeast China. Keywords / Ключевые слова Hongshan jade; long-eared shaman figure; twin zoomorphic fusion; tremolite–actinolite nephrite; Late Neolithic China; Xiuyan deposits; fertility cult; dualistic cosmology 1. Introduction Late Neolithic Hongshan culture (Liaoning, ca. 3500–3000 BCE) is famous for its highly symbolic jade sculpture, including C-shaped dragons, pig-dragons, and anthropomorphic idols.Among the rarest are long-eared or horned figures, where elongated cranial projections signify enhanced spiritual perception and transformation.The present object belongs to this category and adds the unique motif of two merged animal forms, a theme connected to yin–yang style dualism known in Hongshan ritual art. 2. Material and Methods The figure is carved from greenish-olive, slightly zonal nephrite (tremolite–actinolite group) with a dense whitish weathering crust.Electron microscopy confirms authentic prehistoric patina.Detailed macro- and micro-photography documents the dual zoomorphic profiles and carefully drilled perforations for altar attachment.Mineralogical comparison points to Xiuyan nephrite sources in Liaoning, the main quarry area for Hongshan jades. 3. Morphology and Iconography The sculpture displays a vertical composition with: a backward-swept bifid crest interpreted as paired long ears, a compact torso with fused double-animal reliefs on both flanks, rounded eyes and a short snout bridging human and animal physiognomy. The two zoomorphic profiles may represent paired spirit animals—possibly terrestrial and celestial—combined in a single sacred being. 4. Symbolic Interpretation 4.1 Long Ears as Shamanic Attribute In many ancient cultures, long or prominent ears symbolise the capacity to hear the voices of spirits and receive supernatural messages.In Hongshan jade art, elongated ear-like projections have been linked to spiritual ascent, heightened perception and fertility invocations. 4.2 Fusion of Two Zoomorphs The merging of two animal essences in one body embodies a dual cosmology: sky and earth, life and death, male and female principles.Such paired symbolism is attested in Hongshan ceremonial complexes like Niuheliang, where composite creatures mediated between cosmic spheres. 5. Context within Hongshan Ritual Practice Comparable finds from Niuheliang and Huanshanzi show that such figures were placed in temples and sacrificial altars, functioning as cult idols for fertility, protection, and ancestral communication.The absence of suspension holes for wearing and the presence of base perforations confirm an altar-type ritual use. 6. Mineralogical Sourcing Petrological and isotopic data (Wang & Shi 2022; Zhang et al. 2023) demonstrate that the Xiuyan nephrite deposits of Liaoning yield tremolite–actinolite jades with the same greenish-olive, locally blackened zoning observed here, supporting a Hongshan provenance. 7. Conclusion The long-eared jade figure with fused zoomorphic profiles is a masterpiece of Hongshan ritual art.Its ears signify supernatural hearing and spiritual transformation, while the double-animal fusion expresses fundamental cosmological dualities.Mineralogical evidence confirms authentic Hongshan nephrite from Xiuyan.This work enhances our understanding of the symbolic and technological sophistication of Late Neolithic northeastern China. References (selected) Childs-Johnson, Elizabeth. Jades of the Hongshan Culture: The Dragon and Fertility Cult Worship. Archives of Asian Art 45 (1992): 6–27. Nelson, Sarah M. The Archaeology of Northeast China: Beyond the Great Wall. Routledge, 1995. Guo Dashun. The Hongshan Culture and Its Jades. Liaoning Provincial Institute of Archaeology, 1997. Larrivé-Bass, S. “Jade for Bones in Hongshan Craftsmanship.” Journal of East Asian Archaeology (2019). Wang, R. & Shi, X. “Progress on the Nephrite Sources of Jade Artifacts in Ancient China (Isotopic Constraints).” Frontiers in Earth Science (2022). Zhang, C. et al. “Spatial-temporal distribution and genetic types of nephrite deposits in China.” Frontiers in Earth Science (2023). Sun Zhouyong & Guo Dashun. “New Discoveries at Niuheliang and Implications for Hongshan Ritual Practice.” Religions 13(5) (2022): 459. License / ЛицензияText © 2025 Nona Dronova — CC BY 4.0Images © 2025 Nona Dronova — CC BY-SA 4.0
Author: NONA, Dronova
Language: English
Subfield: Archeology
Field: Arts and Humanities
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W7082362157
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