STOP 3 Chinese Temple Room, Gallery 230
Coffered Vault with Carved Dragons There are 9 dragons on the ceiling of this temple. Can you spot them? The number 9 is a lucky number in China. A true dragon is believed to have 81 scales, equal to 9 x 9.
nelson-atkins.org/CofferedVault
STOP 4
Can you say 9 in Chinese?
Gallery 229
Funerary Urns The dragon is often shown with a flaming pearl. Can you find which dragon has the pearl?
Chinese character for 9 Spelled: Jiu Pronounced: gee-oh
The pearl symbolizes different ideas, including knowledge, wisdom or granting wishes. Look closely at the dragons on these urns. How are they the same or different?
nelson-atkins.org/FuneraryUrns
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