Shang And Zhou Bronzes Of Taotie

Bronze ware was a symbol and the factor of being the symbol during the evolution of Chinese civilization. It is quite clear that the amount and sorts of bronzes found in China are much more that those in other civilizations. Frankly speaking, bronzes in China exceed the total of those in the areas all over the world. Though the order and cause of civilization evolution are always similar, it is scarce that the bronze ware was of significance as such in Chinese history. Bronze ware must be the most effective and important means of illustrating Chinese ancient culture, for the bronzes were important in the Chinese ancient civilization and we lack reliable documents.The essay deals with the bronzes in two parts: forms and ornaments, in which it seems more meaningful and enjoyable to research the ornaments, which involved more uncertain and complicated elements. It is indisputable that "Tao-tieh" was the most remarkable one during the progress of bronzes in the history. Western historian David Keightley once said: "If you don't understand 'Tao-tieh', you won't be able to understand the culture of Shang Dynasty, it is a great riddle that the inscriptions on bones and totorise shells can't give the answers."The essay tries to elabrate the riddle from such viewpoints as names, source, sort and contents etc . and make sure the roles it played in the cultural of Shang and Zhou Dynasty.