Daoist priest with zodiac animal, snake
Song dynasty (960–1279)
A dramatic change took place in the representation of zodiac animals during the Song dynasty, when they were no longer made as half-human and half-animal figures and their sizes were significantly reduced. The animals, now in the form of small human sculptures generally made of glazed stoneware and decorated with modest colors, were visualized as either civil officials or Daoist practitioners. Their identifying animal was depicted on their hat brim or held in their hands.
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