Ding Tripod for“Ke Huang”

 This is a cultural relic from the Spring and Autumn Period,unearthed in 1990 in the No.1 Chu Tomb,Heshangling,Xichuan County,Henan Province.

 

photo/ Henan Museum 

The device measures 46 centimeters high with a diameter of 26 centimeters.

On the body and the feet of the ding tripod,a variety of delicate ornamentation is seen.Its overall shape is novel and unique,the lines are smooth and full of rhythm,showing the exquisite bronze casting technology of Chu State.

At the bottom of the ding,there is an inscription of the four characters"Kehuang Zhi Sheng",which means"This is the ding of Kehuang".What’s the legendary story of Ke Huang and this ding mentioned in the inscription?

Ke Huang is the grandson of Ziwen,a famous prime minister of Chu.

According to Tso Chuan,in 605 BC,Ke Huang was on a diplomatic mission to the State of Qi.On his way back,he was informed that the Ruoao family of the Ke Huang clan had rebelled and was executed by the king of Chu.His attendants urged him to flee to another country,but Ke Huang said,"If I run away like this,I will violate the king.Where will I be accepted?When King Zhuang of Chu saw that Ke Huang was so loyal and honest,he restored him to his post and renamed him Sheng,which meant that Ke Huang was given a new life.