A copper-made two-tailed fierce tiger statue weighing 6.2kg, containing two unsolved mysteries, was discovered in a tomb thousands of years ago, leaving the entire archaeological team stunned by its unique shape and exquisite craftsmanship, reaching the level of ‘supreme deity.

In September 1989, farmers in Dai Duong Chau town, Tan Can district, Jiangxi province accidentally discovered more than ten copper objects while digging the ground. This immediately drew the high attention of the local cultural relic department. They sought the origin of the cultural artifacts and excavated the area where the copper objects were found. Experts had already prepared themselves mentally and expected a significant discovery, but they did not anticipate that the discovery would surpass their imagination by far.

In this archaeological exploration, only one tomb of the Shang Dynasty was excavated. However, the cultural relics and artifacts that were excavated were extremely abundant, with more than 1,500 items, especially over 480 copper objects being found. This was considered a major breakthrough after the excavation of the An-Khu relics (remains of the An dynasty) in An Duong, Ha Nam, and Sanxingdui in Guanghan, Sichuan. At that time, there was no top ten list of new archaeological discoveries in the country, but if there were, the excavation of the tomb of the Shang dynasty in Dai Duong Chau town would undoubtedly have made the list.

The two-tailed copper tiger statue left the archaeological team stunned when they discovered it. Its shape was so unique that archaeologists had never seen anything like it before among previous copper artifacts

During the excavation process, experts went from one surprise to another, with each discovery leaving them breathless. The bronze artifacts found were made with exquisite craftsmanship, showcasing the exceptional manual skills of ancient people. Their shapes and designs were in line with the culture of China while still retaining their unique characteristics. In fact, some cultural relics still spark prolonged debates.

One such example is the bronze two-tailed tiger found in this excavation. This artifact has left the on-site experts stunned upon its discovery. Its shape is so unique that archaeologists have never seen it in previous bronze artifacts. It is undoubtedly classified as a national-level cultural relic.

As the name suggests, this relic has the shape of a tiger. However, unlike the majestic and imposing mountain god figures we often see, this bronze tiger has a cute and even a bit charming appearance, with the distinctive feature of having two tails. Despite this, with its fangs exposed and eyes wide open, the bronze tiger still gives viewers a sense of invincible strength.

What is the Hupo bronze tiger? Can you provide some information about its history and significance?

The Hupo bronze tiger is an ancient Chinese bronze artifact that dates back to the Western Zhou Dynasty (1046-771 BC). It is a sculpture of a tiger with intricate patterns and designs covering its body, including patterns of animal faces, lightning bolts, and wavy lines. These patterns are typical of the decorative style of the time and reflect the cultural influence of ancient China.

The Hupo bronze tiger is unique in that it has two tails, which is a feature that sets it apart from other known bronze artifacts. Additionally, there is a small bird perched on the tiger’s back, seemingly unafraid of the ferocious animal. The significance of these features is not entirely clear, and they have been the subject of much debate among scholars.

The Hupo bronze tiger is a significant artifact that provides insight into ancient Chinese culture and beliefs. Its intricate design and mysterious features continue to captivate scholars and visitors alike, making it a popular tourist attraction in China.

In case there is no documentary evidence, of course, this is also just the speculation of experts. However, it cannot be denied that the image of a double-tailed tiger with a bird on its back, one strong and one weak, one large and one small, creates a clear contrast and at the same time possesses natural beauty. Not only because of its unique shape, but also with a weight of 6.2 kg, this bronze tiger is truly a special cultural relic that has never been discovered before. It is not surprising that it has been recognized as a national treasure right after being unearthed.