The Four-Yang Fang Zun is used for sacrifice.

The Siyang Fangzun is a bronze ritual vessel and sacrificial item in the late Shang Dynasty.

It was unearthed in 1938 on the mountainside of Zhuoerlun in Yueshanpu, Huangcai Town, Ningxiang County, Hunan Province. It is now part of the Tanheli site.

Collected in the National Museum of China.

According to the analysis of archaeologists, the Siyang Fang Zun was cast using a two-step casting technique, that is, the horns and the faucet were cast individually, then they were placed separately in the outer mold, and then cast as a whole.

The entire object was cast using the block mold method, and was completed in one go. It is a superb workmanship, showing a superb level of casting. It is called "the ultimate bronze model" by historians and ranks among the top ten national treasures handed down from generation to generation.

Extended information: The Year of the Sheep is approaching. Let’s take stock of the most famous “sheep cultural relics” in China. No matter how you choose, the Four-Sheep Square Zun now in the National Museum of China will be among the best.

The most eye-catching decoration on the Fang Zun is undoubtedly the curled-horned sheep heads located at the four corners of the shoulders, which is where the name "Four-Yang Fang Zun" comes from.

The sheep's head and neck protrude from the outside of the vessel, while the sheep's body and legs are attached to Fang Zun's abdomen and feet.

The Fang Zun is decorated with exquisite patterns. The sheep's chest and neck and back are covered with scales, the sides are decorated with long crowns and phoenix patterns, and the feet are decorated with Kui patterns.

Fang Zun is powerful and heavy, yet dignified and elegant. He is an outstanding representative of the glorious Bronze Age.

"Zun" is an ancient Chinese wine vessel.

During the Shang and Zhou dynasties, bronze statues often appeared as ritual vessels in sacrificial ceremonies.

So, why does the Four-Sheep Square Zun, a ritual vessel, use sheep as the shape of its body?

During the pre-Qin period, the status of sheep in sacrificial rituals was second only to that of cattle.

Animals slaughtered for sacrifice were called "sacrifice" or "sacrifice" at that time.

Zuns shaped like these animals are called "sacrifice statues".

The shape of the sheep's head on the Four-Sheep Square Zun most likely symbolizes the sheep used as a sacrifice.

The rulers at that time hoped to obtain God's favor through sacrificial activities, so they put great effort into the design of sacrificial vessels.

Since ancient times, Chinese people have loved sheep, a docile and cute animal.

The word "beautiful" in oracle bone inscriptions refers to the shape of a sheep with big horns on its head.

The "xiang" in "auspicious" is the suffix of the word "sheep".

It seems that ancient people have long associated sheep with beautiful things.

People also use "virtue like a lamb" to describe the scholar-bureaucrats' clean conduct and measured advancement and retreat.

The habit of a lamb kneeling to breastfeed has been interpreted by later generations as an allusion to honor parents.

In addition to the vividly shaped sheep head, the most commendable thing about the Siyang Fangzun is its exquisite bronze casting technology - the surface of the vessel is covered with slender cloud and thunder patterns, and the neck is decorated with banana leaf patterns, triangular Kui patterns and animal faces.

Pattern.

The shoulders are decorated with a dragon pattern with a snake body and claws.

The dragon pattern is in high relief, winding from the four sides of the statue to the front.