The first picture shows a burning furnace with a newly crafted iron sword. Iron was first introduced and widely used under the times of the Eastern Zhou dynasty. The earliest trace of iron in China is dated back to the Spring and Autumn time, and the technology of blacksmithing developed significantly during the warring states period. Iron are used in all sorts of ways. For example, they can be used to make excellent agricultural tools for farming, or weapons for war. However, despite its superiority against bronze, iron tools and weapons did not overtake the position of bronze tools and weapons, because crafting with iron requires a higher technology and better skills.

The second picture, the currency used in the state of Qi, demonstrates the location where the individual is from. In fact, this is the currency that the man used during his time in the state of Qi. During Eastern Zhou dynasty, rulers of individual states had the right to create their own money as currency. The states of Qi, Zhao and Yan had their currencies in the shape of a knife, and each of them had slight variations. Because every state had different currencies, and different measuring systems, sometimes it is rather inconvenient for merchants that conduct trade in different states. This specific one drew here is that was used in the state of Qi. It is different than those that are used by Zhao and Yan as it is slightly longer and heavier.

The third picture is a broken Ding. Ding is an instrument that originally used to cook, however as time passes it starts to symbolize power. According to legends, when Yu the Great established the first dynasty, the legendary Xia dynasty, he ordered his men to build nine bronze Ding, symbolizing his position as their ruler. Also, there is a strict regulation of the number of Ding one can own, and the regulation is based on one’s status. For example, dukes can own up to seven Ding, and lesser governors can own five, according to some text. Therefore, Ding is also an instrument for “Li”, a set of rules and rituals that must be followed for the harmony of the society, according to Confucius. This broken Ding here symbolizes the lack of “Li” and the lack of centralized power in the Eastern Zhou dynasty. Due to invasions of barbarians, the central government of Zhou was forced to move its capital, and its power have had diminished. Overtime, the dukes of states became more powerful than the central government, hence the Zhou, though still in existence, is muck like a broken Ding, which is incomplete and unstable. Similarly, the orders and the rituals established during the peaceful years of Western Zhou is abolished, as the local governments became stronger and started waging war on each other. The ritual rights, or the “Li”, is often violated by the powerful governors as well.

The fourth symbol used depicts a horseman charging against an incoming chariot. This image signifies two things. Firstly, it represents the never ending warfare in Eastern Zhou dynasty. At the beginning of Spring and Autumn, there were roughly 140 states, and at the time of Warring states period, the main states only included the Qi, Chu, Yan, Han, Zhao, Wei, and Qin, which constantly fought against each other. The chaos and war lead to the death of many soldiers as well as civilians, but it also inspired new ideas. Therefore, the picture also symbolizes the introduction of horse back riding and how it slowly replaced chariots during this period of time. For example, the introduction of horse riding. Also, the war and chaos inspired philosophers to discuss and debate about the nature of governing and life, creating countless classes of philosophy that have long lasting impacts.

The fifth symbol is an ancient Chinese instrument called Zhong. In this case, it represents Confucianism, a school of philosophy that had huge impact during the Eastern Zhou dynasty. Zhong the instrument is often used as a symbol of ordered society, and “Li”, rituals and manners, which the Confucians believed is crucial to have for an ordered society. The Confucian scholar believed that people must listen to proper music and have a certain number of “Zhong”, fitting their ranks in the society, in order to achieve harmony. Apart from “Li”, there were also many other sets of rules that Confucians followed, which they believed to be able to end the chaos of the Eastern Zhou dynasty and retrieve the society back to what it was like during the Western Zhou dynasty. In order to do so, argues Confucian scholars, a series of practice must performed. For example, filial piety, or “Xiao”, says that children must respect and follow the parents, such to establish order within family. And also there is the idea “Ren”, which means humane, the right way for a ruler to treat his people. Confucians believed that harmony within a family can be achieved by having wives obeying husbands and children obeying parents, the harmony of country can be achieved by subjects obeying rulers, and the ruler shall rule with “Ren”.

The sixth symbol shows a man sitting in the wilderness, with trees and mountains in the background. This represents Taoists, another influential philosophy during the Eastern Zhou dynasty. Daoists preferred the hermit’s path, and enjoyed life in the wilderness, just like the man in the picture, rather than holding a position in the court. Another aspect of this symbol is that it shows the Daoist philosophy to rule. The philosophers believed that rulers should rule by doing nothing, like the man in the picture, because the people knows how to rule themselves, hence the government should limit their interference with its people.

The last symbol is a criminal that is undergoing the prosecution known as “Che Lie” (having five cows or horses tied to limbs and head to rip the criminal apart). It symbolizes legalism, another school of philosophy that flourished during the Eastern Zhou dynasty. Legalists believed that the best way to end the chaos of its time is to impose harsh laws on the people to prevent criminal acts. They are famous for having harsh punishments, and one of their most famous punishments was “Che Lie”. One of the most famous cases of somebody being prosecuted in such a way was Shang Yang, a legalist who served under the Qin and reformed the state’s law. He was the one who established the laws in Qin, but ironically he was prosecuted under the laws he proposed. Though legalist thoughts were widely recognized as inhumane and is often strongly opposed by Confucianism, it made Qin the strongest state of its time.

Hi! I am Alex Du, I am from New Zealand but was raised in China. I have been interested in Chinese history since I was a child, and that’s why I enjoyed the History 142 course at U of R. More by Alex Du