Activity
Reflection: I was, I am, I will be
How would you answer Chanel Miller’s “I was, I am, I will be” prompt? Would your answers look like Miller’s, or would they look different?
The entrance to the tomb of a wealthy and highly placed member of the Tang aristocracy was elaborate. Leading to the tomb was a spirit path (shendao) flanked by pairs of stone animals and human attendants. A doorway marked the entrance to the tomb proper, and the path continued, in the form of a ramp, to the burial chamber. Guardians in clay flanked this ramp. These guardian are among the most elaborate.
You can see that there are different types of tomb guardians: human figures and composite animal figures. Now, create your own tomb guardian by downloading “Draw Your Own Tomb Guardian”. Will your guardian have a human form or will it bring together different parts of scary animals?
Remember: Your tomb guardian needs to be strong and fierce to keep unwanted spirits out of your tomb and keep your tomb objects safe.