Han Dynasty tomb mural depicting four mythological creatures

On this Western Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD 24) tomb mural, a flying dragon with long swaying whiskers occupies the prominent position. The dragon’s mouth is open and its protruding tongue curled around a “monster”. A vermilion bird and a white tiger are respectively drawn above and under the dragon. These auspicious animals, surrounded by decorative patterns in four border frames, are responsible for guiding the tomb owner’s soul to the pure land.

Discovered in the tomb of King Gong of the Liang State on Mangdang Mountain in Shangqiu, Henan province, 1990, this mural is the largest, earliest, and best preserved mural with the highest rank in China. It is one of the nine treasures in the permanent collection of the Henan Museum.