The winged lion statue in St. Mark's Square in Venice has watched over the Italy city for centuries. This lion statue is not only a symbol of St. Mark, but also of Venice, representing the history and culture of the city.
However, according to the South China Morning Post, a well-known international media in Hong Kong, Italy scientists have recently made a surprising discovery: this lion statue is likely to come from China!
A long journey from China to Italy
According to research by Italy archaeologist Massim·o Vidale's team, the lion statue on St. Mark's Square may have been a burial guardian animal from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), and its metal composition suggests that the lion may have been cast from bronze from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in southeastern China.
The discovery came as a shock to many archaeologists, as the statue's origins remained a mystery for hundreds of years.
In fact, this discovery began more than thirty years ago. Between 1985 and 1990, the Municipality of Venice carried out a restoration of the lion statue, when scientists used lead isotope analysis techniques to study the metal composition of the statue.
Although there was limited information at the time and the researchers were unable to pinpoint the exact origin, now, with the help of a more complete database, they have confirmed that the metal composition is a good match for copper deposits in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China.
In addition to the metal composition, the style of the lion statue is also very Chinese.
A closer look at the statue reveals the long hairs of the lion's jaws, open fangs, and wide nostrils – all characteristic of typical Tang Dynasty tomb guardian beasts.
In China, this type of tomb guardian beast is called "town tomb beast" and is often used to protect the burial grounds of nobles, showing deterrent and mystical powers.
Despite the evidence of chemical analysis and stylistic characteristics, it remains a mystery how the lion statue crossed thousands of mountains and rivers from China to Italy.
The research team speculated that the statue may have been introduced to Europe via the Silk Road or maritime trade routes, but there is no specific historical record. Surprisingly, in the historical archives of Venice there is no record of the origin or transportation of the lion statue.
Interestingly, when the famous Venetian traveler Marco Polo returned home in 1295, the statue had already stood on a column in St. Mark's Square, meaning that the lion statue may have arrived in Venice as early as the beginning of the 13th century.
How it was associated with St. Mark's and became an important symbol of Venice remains a question for archaeologists and historians alike.
The symbolism of the lion statue in Venice
The winged lion statue is not only a work of art in Venice, but also a political symbol of the city's ongoing efforts to shape and strengthen its image throughout its history.
By understanding the development of the lion statue in Venice, we can gain a deeper understanding of its multiple symbolic meanings and how it became a pillar of the city's spirituality in terms of politics, religion and culture.
At the beginning of the 13th century, Venice was in the midst of an important period of alternation of power between the East and the West. In 1261, Venice lost its stronghold in Constantinople and began to regain its influence in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Venice was in dire need of a powerful symbol to show its strength, and St. Mark's winged lion was the perfect choice. The image of the lion is not only sacred, but also contains an unshakable military and political will, giving Venice a strong legitimacy.
During this period, Venice demonstrated its determination to defend its sphere of influence in the Eastern Eastern Mediterranean through winged lions, strengthening its political deterrent to neighboring countries and regions.
This winged lion not only symbolizes the political ambitions of Venice, but is also closely associated with St. Mark's on a religious level. St. Marc is the patron saint of Venice, and the winged lion symbolizes his legendary power.
This image allows the citizens of Venice to find a deep spiritual identity in their religious beliefs, making the lion not only a visual symbol in the urban life of Venice, but also a bond of faith and culture.
The symbolic status of St. Mark's lion allows the Venetian people to feel St. Mark's protection in their daily lives. Whether in times of war or peace, the winged lion symbolizes the glory and indomitable spirit of Venice and inspires countless citizens.
The lion is both a talisman of the city and an integral part of people's faith.
In 1797, the Republic of Venice fell to Napoleon's army, and the winged lion statue was sent to Paris, where it was not returned to Venice until 1815, when Napoleon fell.
After being broken and restored, the statue once again stands in St. Mark's Square, symbolizing the perseverance of the Venetian people in the midst of turmoil. The broken and reborn lion is a reflection of the ups and downs of the city of Venice in the ups and downs of history, as well as its indomitable spirit.
Although the lion was damaged during its return to Venice, the statue symbolizes the loyalty and love of the Venetian people to the city. In the process of the restoration and re-erection of the statue, the cultural identity of the Venetian people was rekindled, and the restoration of the lion became an important symbol of the city's revival.
The discovery of a winged lion from Venice from China sparked a deep reflection on the blending of Eastern and Western cultures.
This unexpected discovery made people realize that Venice has deep historical ties with the East, not only in terms of trade, but also in terms of culture and art. In the long run, the unique status of this guardian beast of Tang Dynasty tombs in Venice has forced people to re-examine the process of cultural flow and integration between East and West.
Today, Venice has become a center of global cultural exchange, and the winged lion statue is a symbol of this cultural intermingling. While the exact path of its circulation remains a mystery, it reminds us of the richness and complexity of history.
The statue has spanned thousands of years from China to Italy and has become a witness to the cultural exchange between the East and the West. This history that transcends national borders not only enriches the cultural connotation of Venice, but also gives us new thinking about the way ancient civilizations are connected.
A little summary
Through archaeological research on the origins of the winged lion statue in Venice, scientists have uncovered its deep connection to bronze casting technology in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River in China.
This discovery not only sparked interest in cultural exchange between East and West, but also deepened our understanding of the history and culture of Venice.
From the Tang Dynasty tomb guardian beast to the political and religious symbol of Venice, the winged lion statue has witnessed the encounter and collision of different cultures in the course of history, becoming a bridge between China thousands of years ago and medieval Italy.