Living Artifacts: Rare porcelain retells elegant pursuits

China is a nation with a great civilization, and its ancient artifacts carry the country's memory. In the Living Artifacts animated series, cultural relics come alive to tell the stories they hold.

Today, we highlight a blue-and-white ceramic vase from the Yuan Dynasty (1271-1368), decorated with scenes depicting four ancient figures and their beloved items — the orchid, the chrysanthemum, the lotus, the plum blossom and the crane — each representing their refined pursuits and virtues.

In 2019, President Xi Jinping once introduced the vase to foreign guests attending the opening ceremony of the Conference on Dialogue of Asian Civilizations in Beijing, likening its rarity to that of the giant panda. This vivid comparison left a deep impression on the guests and enhanced their appreciation of unique Chinese porcelain.