Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors

Definition

The Chinese Terra Cotta Warriors are a collection of thousands of life-sized clay sculptures that were buried with China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, in the 3rd century BCE. These warriors serve as a remarkable example of burial practices and funereal goods, reflecting the beliefs in the afterlife and the importance of protecting the emperor in death, mirroring practices in ancient cultures that emphasized elaborate burial rites.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Terra Cotta Warriors were discovered in 1974 by local farmers in Shaanxi province and date back to around 210–209 BCE.
2. There are over 8,000 individual figures, including infantrymen, archers, chariots, and horses, each with unique features and expressions.
3. These sculptures were part of a larger burial complex that includes the mausoleum of Qin Shi Huang, which is believed to contain many treasures and traps to protect the emperor in the afterlife.
4. The warriors were created using local clay and were originally painted in bright colors, though much of this color has faded over time due to exposure to air after excavation.
5. The creation of the Terra Cotta Army reflects the beliefs in an afterlife where the emperor would need protection and service from these warriors just as he did in life.

Review Questions

• How do the Terra Cotta Warriors illustrate the beliefs surrounding death and the afterlife in ancient China?
  • The Terra Cotta Warriors highlight the significance of burial practices and beliefs about the afterlife in ancient China by showcasing how the first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, prepared for his death. The massive army was intended to protect him in his journey into the afterlife, indicating that there was a strong belief that life continued after death. This reflects similar practices found in various ancient cultures where elaborate burial rites were essential for ensuring safety and continuity beyond this life.
• Discuss the implications of the discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors on our understanding of ancient Chinese civilization and its burial customs.
  • The discovery of the Terra Cotta Warriors provides invaluable insights into ancient Chinese civilization, particularly its social structure, artistry, and funerary customs. The sheer scale and detail of these sculptures reveal a sophisticated level of craftsmanship and organization within society. Additionally, they underscore the importance placed on status and power in death, as seen through the extensive resources allocated to creating this army for the emperor's tomb. This reflects a complex belief system regarding life after death and ancestor veneration prevalent during that era.
• Evaluate how burial practices represented by the Terra Cotta Warriors contribute to our understanding of religious beliefs in ancient China compared to other cultures.
  • Burial practices exemplified by the Terra Cotta Warriors shed light on ancient China's distinct religious beliefs that revolve around ancestor worship and the necessity for protection in the afterlife. Compared to other cultures—like Ancient Egypt with its pyramids for pharaohs or Mesopotamia with ziggurats—China's approach demonstrates a more militaristic perspective on death, where warriors signify a need for security rather than just offerings or ceremonial items. This evaluation reveals differing cultural priorities concerning death; while many cultures sought to honor their dead through monuments or rituals, China's emphasis on creating an army suggests a belief in active guardianship needed for peace in eternity.

Related terms

Qin Shi Huang: The first emperor of a unified China, known for his significant contributions to the unification and centralization of China, as well as the construction of the Great Wall.

Mausoleum: A large tomb, especially one that is grand or architecturally significant, often used to house the remains of important figures, such as emperors.

Ancestor Worship: A religious practice rooted in respect for one's ancestors, where it is believed that deceased family members continue to influence the lives of the living.