Wu Family Shrines Pictorial Stones

Digital Reconstruction

Virtual reality tour of the “Wu Family Shrines” cemetery site

First Register

The story of prince Xiaobai of the Qi kingdom being shot with an arrow by the archer Guan Zhong. In a race between princes to claim the throne, Guan Zhong was sent to stop Xiaobai. Believing he had killed Xiaobai, the rival prince did not arrive until after Xiaobai, who had feigned being dead after the arrow had struck his belt buckle (daigou), had already ascended the throne as Duke Huan (r. 685-643 BCE). Afterwards the duke heeded the advice of Bao Shu, who had earlier been his protector. The duke not only spared Guan Zhong but appointed him to high office in his government.

The scene shows Xiaobai lying on the ground clutching an arrow. The figure shielding him with an umbrella is usually said to be Bao Shu. Guan Zhong is shown with his bow and two followers at right.

Second Register

The story of the loyal assassin Jing Ke's attempt to threaten the king of Qin (the future First Emperor). In the scene Jing Ke with disheveled hair is being tackled after having hurled his dagger at the king. The dagger is depicted piercing the bronze column. Left of the column, the king is seen fleeing with a bi disc in his right hand. In mid-air to the right of the column is the king's sleeve that had been torn off during his escape, and beneath is a box containing the head of General Fan Yuqi. Fan had slit his throat so that Jing Ke could offer his head as a gift to gain admittance to see the king. A single cartouche panel in the upper left corner is blank.

Third Register

The primeval rulers Fuxi and Nüwa are shown with their snake-like tails intertwined. Fuxi holds a square and his female counterpart Nüwa holds a compass. Legend has it that Fuxi established kingly rule, social order, and marriage. Nüwa is known both as Fuxi's sister and as his wife. Other winged figures with cloud tails along with bird-headed clouds accompany the sovereigns. The cartouche panel at upper-left is blank.