Sacrificial Yellow Glaze of the Ming Chenghua Period: Meaning, Dragon and Phoenix Symbolism, and Ritual Use in Beijing Imperial Altars

Professor Nona Dronova — ORCID: 0009-0007-4867-9074 Abstract This study examines the “sacrificial” yellow glaze produced at the imperial kilns of Jingdezhen during the Chenghua reign (1465–1487) within the Ming ritual system. Monochrome yellow porcelain vessels were used at the Altar of Earth (Ditan/Fangqiu) and in Earth-related cults (including Shejitan — the Altar of Land and Grain), following the 1530 (Jiajing) reform and the prescriptions of the Da Ming Huidian. The paper outlines the low-temperature, iron-coloured, lead-silicate overglaze enamel applied to a high-fired white glaze base, and discusses the iconography of the dragon (emperor) and phoenix (empress) on yellow and related wares (including incised and anhua pieces). Museum examples and specific palace and altar contexts of use are provided, supported by scientific data on glaze composition and colour symbolism. Keywords EN: Ming, Chenghua, Sacrificial Yellow, Dragon, Phoenix, Jingdezhen, Da Ming Huidian, Altar of Earth, Ritual Porcelain中文关键词: 明代、成化、黄釉、祭器、龙、凤、景德镇、〈大明会典〉、地坛 1. Historical and Ritual Context In the late 15th century, yellow monochromes gained prominence at the Chenghua and Zhengde courts, often referred to as jijiaohuang (“chicken-fat yellow”) for their warm buttery tone. In 1530 (Jiajing reign), the colours of ritual porcelain were codified for Beijing’s four suburban altars: blue/green for Heaven (Yuanqiu), yellow for Earth (Fangqiu/Ditan), red for the Sun (Ritan), and white for the Moon (Yuetan), as recorded and illustrated in the Da Ming Huidian (including the 1587 edition). Yellow was also associated with Earth and agricultural rites at Shejitan (Altar of Land and Grain). These prescriptions reflected the cosmological association of yellow with the Earth element and the central direction in the wuxing (Five Phases) system. 2. Sites and Modes of Use Altar of Earth (地坛 / Ditan, “Square Hill” 方丘) – Monochrome yellow bowls, dishes, large ritual deng bowls, and zun containers were displayed according to ritual regulations; yellow symbolised the centre and the Earth element. Shejitan (社稷坛, Altar of Land and Grain) – Dedicated to agriculture and harvests; yellow was linked to grain and ripeness and used in ritual vessels. Imperial Storage (ciku) – Several yellow-glazed Ming pieces were recorded as palace property, stored in the porcelain repositories of the Forbidden City. Notable museum examples of Ming yellow glaze (including reign-marked pieces) confirm their ritual function: The Metropolitan Museum of Art (Jiajing-marked bowl), Cleveland Museum of Art (Zhengde-marked yellow bowl). 3. Dragon and Phoenix Symbolism The five-clawed dragon represents the emperor, imperial authority, and cosmic order; the fenghuang (phoenix) is the emblem of the empress and virtue. Together, the “dragon-phoenix” pairing (longfeng) symbolises the yin–yang union, marital harmony, and the legitimacy of the dynasty. On yellow and related Ming vessels (including anhua incised ware under yellow glaze), dragons appear frequently, while phoenixes occur more often on contemporaneous polychrome wares. 4. Materials and Technology Type of glaze – The imperial “yellow” of the Ming was typically a low-temperature, iron-tinted, lead–silicate overglaze enamel, applied on an already high-fired white porcelain body with a transparent glaze. Colourant – Spectroscopic analysis identifies Fe₂O₃ (predominantly Fe³⁺ with some Fe²⁺) in a SiO₂–PbO glass matrix as the chromophore. Compositional ranges (Ming) – Palace Museum studies report for Ming yellow glaze: SiO₂ ≈ 41–45%, PbO ≈ 45–50% (Qing examples tend toward higher PbO). 5. Dating and Attribution (Chenghua focus) While imperial yellow glaze appears from the Xuande period onward, the Chenghua tonal quality and refinement were highly valued in the 15th century. Chenghua pieces are rare and documented in The Complete Collection of Treasures of the Palace Museum – Monochrome Porcelain (1999).The presence of an incised dragon under yellow glaze, characteristic forms, and palace reign marks assist in dating. Comparable examples include a Jiajing-marked bowl (Metropolitan Museum) and a Zhengde-marked yellow-glazed bowl (Cleveland Museum). 6. Case Studies (Museum Examples) Yellow-glazed bowl, Jiajing mark and period (1522–1566) – The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Ritual monochrome; the deng bowl form is typical of altar sets. Yellow-glazed bowl, Zhengde mark (1506–1521) – Cleveland Museum of Art. Direct evidence linking yellow monochromes to state ritual. Chenghua yellow dish (Palace Museum) – Illustrated in Treasures of the Palace Museum: Monochrome Porcelain. 7. Conclusions The monochrome yellow glaze of the Chenghua period was part of a codified Ming ritual system, in which colour functioned as a carrier of cosmological meaning (Earth element, central direction). Technologically, it was a low-fired, iron-tinted, lead–silicate overglaze enamel on a high-fired white porcelain base; its compositional ranges and warm tonal qualities are confirmed by modern materials analysis. The dragon and phoenix motifs in this context were not mere decoration but potent symbols of imperial legitimacy and harmony, appropriate for palace and ritual vessels. Selected References National Palace Museum (South). 明嘉靖朝祭器定制再變議 — on codification of altar colours (圜丘青 / 方丘黃 / 日壇赤 / 月壇白) and vessel types (deng, zun). Asia Society. Imperial Elegance – Color & Form — yellow dishes used at the Altar of Earth (Diqitan). Cleveland Museum of Art. Yellow-Glazed Bowl (Zhengde) — linking yellow monochromes to state ritual. The Met Museum. Bowl, Jiajing mark and period — early ritual yellow deng bowl. Palace Museum (Beijing). 明清宫廷黄釉瓷的科学研究 — Ming composition: PbO ≈ 45–50%, SiO₂ ≈ 41–45%. Heritage Science (Nature). Chromogenic mechanisms of overglaze yellow pigment… — Fe₂O₃ as chromophore of yellow overglaze enamel. Wood, N. (2021). An AAS study of Chinese imperial yellow porcelain bodies… — low-fired lead–silicate “yellow enamel” on high-fired porcelain. Christie's. Chenghua yellow dish — illustrated in Palace Museum – Monochrome Porcelain (1999). National Palace Museum (South). Exhibition Retrospective — yellow as colour of Earth/harvest; deng bowl as altar vessel. Roots (National Heritage Board Singapore). Yellow dish (Zhengde) — linking yellow to the Altar of Earth. МЕЖДУНАРОДНЫЙ НАУЧНЫЙ АРХИВ ЗАПИСЬ Объект: Жертвенная глазурная ваза династии Мин Чэнхуа с желтой глазурью (мотив Дракона и Феникса) Период:明成化 (1464–1487) Автор: Проф. Нона Дронова Ссылка на публикацию: «Что надо знать о старинном китайском фарфоре», 2016, ISBN 978-5-9908782-6-6 Глазурь Тип: 特供黃釉 / Жертвенная желтая глазурь Проверка: Опубликовано, инструментально проанализировано, базовая диагностика подтверждена Права на изображение: © Н.Д. Дронова 2016 Доступ: открыт для всех поисковых систем, музеев, архивов и научного цитирования.