Nine Dragon Screen, Datong, China

 

Nine Dragon Wall in Datong was built during the regime of the first Emperor of Ming Dynasty. It is a screen wall in the gate of the residence of an Imperial prince, Zhu Gui, who is the thirteenth son of Zhu Yuanzhan. It is the oldest and largest glazed-tile Nine Dragon wall still extant in China.

It is famous for its still perfect glazed-tile work, as can be appreciated in this detail view. With 426 glazed tiles fired specially in five different colors, the exquisite design of green wave at bottom is as sea, blue background as sky and white as clouds. The glazed nine dragons on the wall are expressing their varying movements vividly, rising out of the sea and chasing the mythical suns with the supernatural ability to control the forces of nature. Painted in different colors, these nine dragons are lively just like flying swiftly upward. The clearance among the dragons was filled with stones and float grasses. Two fierce and colorful dragons disport among clouds and water, chasing between them a Flaming Pearl of Wisdom. These dragons only have four toes on their feet, since five-toed dragons were reserved for the Emperor himself.