Kings, Queens and Courts: Ancient China
A ten‑minute journey through the symbols of power that defined ancient Chinese rulers, from Shang divinations to Han imperial regalia.
Chapters
- 0:07 Foundations of Royal Authority
- 2:10 Unification and Imperial Power
- 3:37 Han Dynasty Court and Ritual
- 5:04 Enduring Symbols of Power
On-screen text
- 0:07 Foundations of Royal Authority
- 0:14 Foundations of Royal Authority
- 0:31 Shang king's jade axe recorded on oracle bones Historical record · Yinxu oracle bone inscriptions (late Shang)
- 0:49 Lady Fu Hao's tomb reveals elite Shang burial Historical record · Tomb of Fu Hao, Yinxu, excavated 1976
- 1:07 Dragon‑shaped bronze vessel in Shang tomb Historical record · Tomb of Fu Hao, Yinxu, excavated 1976
- 1:25 Nine Tripod Cauldrons symbolize Zhou authority Historical record · Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou)
- 1:43 Yayue court music in Zhou dynasty The Institute's interpretation · Zuo Zhuan, commentary on Zhou court music
- 2:01 Silk and bronze tribute to Zhou king Historical record · Book of Documents (Shujing), “Great Yu” chapter
- 2:10 Unification and Imperial Power
- 2:17 Unification and Imperial Power
- 2:34 Xianyang, capital of unified Qin (221 BCE) Historical record · Shiji, Chapter on Qin Shi Huang
- 2:52 Terracotta soldiers guard Qin’s tomb Historical record · Terracotta Army, Museum of the Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an
- 3:10 Lacquered silk fragments from Qin tomb Historical record · Lacquered silk fragments, Qin mausoleum, Museum of the Terracotta Warriors
- 3:28 Bronze helmet with feather crest Historical record · Bronze helmet, Qin tomb of General Li, Museum of the Terracotta Warriors
- 3:37 Han Dynasty Court and Ritual
- 3:44 Han Dynasty Court and Ritual
- 4:01 Emerald‑embroidered silk robe from Han prince Historical record · Tomb of Prince Liu Sheng, 2nd c. BCE, Museum of the Terracotta Warriors
- 4:19 Jade seal of Emperor Wu Historical record · Han Shu, biography of Emperor Wu
- 4:37 Emperor performing Great Bow ritual Historical record · Mawangdui silk texts, Han dynasty
- 4:55 White marble altar for Han sacrifices Historical record · Han imperial altar, Chang’an excavation, 1970s
- 5:04 Enduring Symbols of Power
- 5:19 The Institute reads: Zuo Zhuan describes formal court orchestra.
- 5:49 Record: bronze helmet with feather crest found in Qin tomb.
- 6:32 Record: He Zun vessel inscribed dedication to Zhou king.
Sources
Historical record: Yinxu oracle bone inscriptions (late Shang) · Tomb of Fu Hao, Yinxu, excavated 1976 · Zhou Li (Rites of Zhou) · Book of Documents (Shujing), “Great Yu” chapter · Shiji, Chapter on Qin Shi Huang · Terracotta Army, Museum of the Terracotta Warriors, Xi’an · Lacquered silk fragments, Qin mausoleum, Museum of the Terracotta Warriors · Bronze helmet, Qin tomb of General Li, Museum of the Terracotta Warriors · Tomb of Prince Liu Sheng, 2nd c. BCE, Museum of the Terracotta Warriors · Han Shu, biography of Emperor Wu · Mawangdui silk texts, Han dynasty · Han imperial altar, Chang’an excavation, 1970s
The Institute's interpretation: Zuo Zhuan, commentary on Zhou court music
Sound: synthesized ambient (wind, drone, water) (CC0 — made by SoapBox). Made in 228 s of CPU.
Scenes Hathor has no parts for yet (7) — the next things to make
- Illustrated silk banner stretched on a wall, showing the emperor drawing a bow before a crowd of officials.
- Illustrated silk banner stretched on a wall, showing the emperor drawing a bow before a crowd of officials.
- Guards march in unison down a stone corridor, synchronized steps echoing, torches flickering against the walls.
- A jade seal rests on a marble altar, soft light catching its smooth facets, surrounded by incense smoke.
- Emperor Wu, regal robes flowing, receives the jade seal from a court official, bowing with solemn reverence.
- A stylized dragon and phoenix emblem glows on a banner, slowly unfurling against the dark sky.
- The banner fades to black, leaving only the echo of distant drums and a lingering sense of ancient authority.