What is the symbolic significance of Ding in the history of China?

Ding is a representative figure in the bronze culture period of China. In ancient times, the tripod was regarded as a heavy weapon for the founding of the country and a symbol of state and power. People in China still have a sense of tripod worship, and the word tripod has been endowed with extended meanings such as "prominent" and "noble", such as: keeping the word, being famous far and wide, being in full swing, and helping each other with all one's strength.

The three generations of Qin and Han dynasties lasted for more than two thousand years, and the Ding has always been the most common and mysterious musical instrument. Ding is divided into three-legged round ding and four-legged Fang Ding, and it is divided into two kinds: covered and uncovered.

The important role of tripod

The inscriptions on bronze wares such as Ding recorded the laws and regulations of Shang and Zhou Dynasties and historical facts such as conferring titles, offering sacrifices and conquering. And handed down the seal script of the Western Zhou Dynasty to later generations, forming a bronze calligraphy art with high aesthetic value. Ding is therefore more valuable and becomes a more important historical relic than other bronzes.

Li Zehou, an aesthetician, believes that Chinese bronzes, with their unique tripod as the core, are thick and heavy, with hideous and mysterious patterns and profound carvings, which are the most aesthetic bronze works in the mature period of China bronze art.