Bronze statue of the animal head of the twelve zodiac animals in Yuanmingyuan

Thursday, January 12, 2023

Bronze statue of the animal head of the twelve zodiac animals in Yuanmingyuan were designed by Lang shining, a foreign court painter during the Qianlong period, and Jiang Anren, a French missionary, integrating Chinese and western animal images of the Chinese zodiac. For example, the head of a bull is different from the traditional image of a bull in China. We can learn from the image of a bullfight in Spain; The king character on the forehead of the tiger represents the traditional Chinese tiger pattern, but the tiger head slightly like a lion is the image of the tiger in Europe.

yuan ming yuan

The bronze statues of the twelve animal heads are located on the 12 stone platform of the fan-shaped water fountain in front of the Haiyan hall. On the south bank are rats, tigers, dragons, horses, monkeys and dogs; On the north bank are cattle, rabbits, snakes, sheep, chickens and pigs. The portraits are all animal heads and human bodies. The head is made of copper and the body is made of stone. The water pipe is hollow. Every other hour, the zodiac statue at that time will spray water from the mouth; At noon, the twelve bronze statues were fountains at the same time. The animal head is actually a giant hydraulic clock.

twelve zodiac animals in Yuanmingyuan

After the British and French allied forces burned down the Old Summer Palace, the bronze statue of the beast head was lost overseas. At an auction in Hong Kong in 2000, the heads of cattle, tigers and monkeys appeared, and the twelve animal heads became a symbol of the loss of overseas cultural relics in the Old Summer Palace. Through various efforts, by 2014, seven animal heads, including cattle, monkeys, tigers, pigs, horses, rats and rabbits, had returned to China; It is said that the dragon head is in Taiwan, and four animal heads, including snake, chicken, dog and sheep, are still missing.

Sign up for a free trial now!

FAQ / Tips

Our Chinese learning method is focused on personalized and interactive one-on-one lessons with a professional teacher. The lessons are conducted live through our online teaching platform, which allows you to see and talk to the teacher. You can schedule the lessons at a time that suits you, and the teacher will tailor the lesson content to your specific needs and goals. During the lesson, you can ask questions and receive feedback from the teacher to ensure you understand and master the knowledge and skills being taught. We also have a student service team and academic coordinator team to assist you with your learning and provide any additional support you may need.Overall, our method is designed to be flexible, personalized, and interactive to help you achieve your language learning goals.
Certainly, we offer a complimentary 30 - minute trial lesson for you to experience our services before committing to a purchase.This will allow you to gain a better understanding of our qualified tutors, innovative teaching methods, comprehensive class materials, and more.We are committed to providing you with the highest level of service and ensuring your satisfaction with our courses.
Our learning is different from traditional language learning in a number of ways. Firstly, we use technology to enhance the learning experience and provide personalized learning paths for each student. Secondly, our focus is not just on language proficiency, but also on cultural understanding and practical application of the language.Thirdly, we place a strong emphasis on developing speaking and listening skills, as well as reading and writing.Additionally, we incorporate modern teaching methods and materials, such as multimedia resources and interactive exercises.Finally, our courses are designed to be flexible and adaptable, allowing students to learn at their own pace and according to their own schedule.
We offer highly flexible class schedules that cater to your needs, with lessons available from 7am to 10pm Beijing time, seven days a week.This allows you to conveniently take lessons at any time and from any location that suits your schedule.
Yes, our website offers courses in both traditional and simplified Chinese characters. You can choose the character set that you want to learn based on your personal preference or learning goals.Our courses are designed to accommodate learners of all levels and backgrounds, so whether you are a beginner or an advanced learner, we have resources that can help you improve your Chinese language skills.
Before starting any Chinese language course, the teacher will assess your Chinese language proficiency level through a placement test.This helps to determine your current level of understanding and ability in Chinese, and allows the teacher to tailor the course materials and teaching methods to your specific needs and goals. The placement test may include assessments of your reading, writing, listening, and speaking skills.Based on the results of the test, the teacher will be able to recommend an appropriate course of study for you.