When maple leaves reveal their most brilliant colors, international students from Russia embarked on a late autumn journey to explore the jade pig-shaped dragon of Hongshan Culture in Liaoning Province.

In the Daguan Kiln Ceramic Studio of Shenyang Institute of Technology, the international students from the School of International Education of the institute listened carefully to the introduction of Hongshan Culture by the ceramic art teacher Wang Yingjie, and also curiously admired the purple clay ceramic jade pig-shaped dragons in his hands. After learning about the historical background and crafting process of this mysterious “creature”, they were eager to try to make one.

As freshmen, it was the first time for these international students to learn the historical knowledge of Hongshan Culture, and also that they personally witnessed the “jade pig-shaped dragon”. The jade pig-shaped dragons in front of the students were crimson in color and made of purple clay from Harqin Left Wing Mongolian Autonomous County through processes such as grouting, jointing, colored painting, glaze spraying and firing. Wang Yingjie created the purple clay ceramic jade pig-shaped dragons by blending Harqin Left Wing Mongolian Autonomous County Purple Clay Ceramic Intangible Cultural Heritage Craftsmanship and Fushun Daguan Kiln Ceramic Craftsmanship, winning the gold prize in the Shenyang Industrial Design Competition not long ago. When learning that the jade pig-shaped dragons were made by combining two intangible cultural heritage techniques, Sofiia Velichko couldn’t help but acclaim, “the jade pig-shaped dragons made by Liaoning craftsmen are really marvelous and impressive.”

The international students participated in the whole process of making purple clay ceramic jade pig-shaped dragons. What captivated them the most was painting decorative patterns on clay, in which some of them drew Chinese elements, such as pandas and bamboos, on their jade pig-shaped dragon clay, to express their love for traditional Chinese culture. At dusk, the students put the finished jade pig-shaped dragon clay in the kiln for high-temperature firing, and patiently waited for the purple clay ceramic jade pig-shaped dragons to be completed after furnace transmutation.

Although the crafting process was complex, the students all gained a sense of accomplishment. “The teacher said that the jade pig-shaped dragon is not only an artwork, but also a precious cultural relic with historical significance. Through this experience activity, we have learned more about Hongshan Culture. My classmates and I cannot wait to go to Liaoning Provincial Museum to see it firsthand,” Julia said excitedly.