As modern society flourishes and skyscrapers mushroom in Xi’an, China, mysteries are gradually unearthed as construction projects delve underground. In 1957, a group of workers at a construction site stumbled upon an ancient tomb.
The place where the ancient tomb was found.
During the excavation, experts initially couldn’t locate the coffin of the tomb’s owner. Later, it was found on a road section next to the mausoleum. After examining the grave goods, experts realized this was an incredibly important historical site.
Once the dirt was carefully removed, the coffin revealed exquisite carvings. As soon as the lid was opened, the first thing that caught the eyes of those present was a silk cloth, approximately 1 meter long and 0.3 meters wide. Beneath the fabric lay scattered bones of the deceased and a large quantity of burial artifacts.
Unveiling a Royal Tomb
Upon its discovery, archaeologists swiftly arrived at the scene to assess the situation and confirmed it was a rare ancient tomb belonging to a Northern Zhou (557–581 AD) and Sui Dynasty (581–619 AD) royal family member.
According to archaeologists, the owner of this tomb was Li Jingxun, the maternal granddaughter of Empress Yang Lihua. She died at the tender age of nine. Historical records indicate that Empress Yang Lihua, deeply saddened by her granddaughter’s sudden death, ordered Li Jingxun to be buried in a coffin even grander than that of Emperor Wen of Sui, Yang Jian.
Li Jingxun’s tomb was exquisitely carved by people her grandmother sent.
Exquisite Craftsmanship and Priceless Treasures
Li Jingxun’s tomb was meticulously crafted at the behest of her grandmother. The sarcophagus, or stone coffin, preserving Li Jingxun’s body, was skillfully made in a palatial style by a renowned craftsman hired by the Empress. Even the dome of the sarcophagus was intricately carved. When archaeologists discovered it, they declared its value immeasurable.
Jewels and Artifacts
Inside the sarcophagus, archaeologists also found a large number of other precious items. Because the owner was a nine-year-old girl, most of these items were exquisitely designed jewelry, notably a necklace made of pearls and gemstones. Additionally, numerous precious jades were found in the sarcophagus, shocking archaeologists due to their inestimable value. This precious necklace is currently preserved in the National Museum of China.
The necklace found in the sarcophagus is preserved at the national museum.
Another treasure discovered in the tomb was an oval glass bottle that astonished archaeologists, as the ancient glass-blowing technology was unparalleled.
A Remarkable Jade Cup
Furthermore, a special artifact found was a white jade cup inlaid with gold. The cup is 4.1 cm tall, with a diameter of 5.6 cm and a base diameter of 2.9 cm. According to experts, this cup was crafted from Hotan jade, one of China’s most precious types of jade.
The oval glass bottle shocked archaeologists due to its value.
The white jade cup is meticulously carved, with a smooth body and gold inlay around the rim. Despite not being elaborately decorated, this precious cup remains incredibly appealing. Moreover, its high-quality jade with a gentle glow and elegant design makes the ancient cup appear exceptionally noble, graceful, and extraordinary.
This gold-inlaid white jade cup demonstrates the Sui Dynasty’s highly refined jade carving techniques. The over 1,400-year-old cup has become one of the most representative jade artifacts from the Sui Dynasty.
The Decline and Revival of Jade Craftsmanship
The white jade cup inlaid with gold was found in the tomb, which is over 1,400 years old.
According to experts, the Han Dynasty was the golden age of jade production in China. However, after the fall of the Eastern Han Dynasty, from the Wei and Jin Dynasties to the Tang Dynasty, the development of jade products entered a period of decline. This is evident from the limited number of jade artifacts archaeologists have found from these periods.
Instead, a significant number of gold and silver ornaments have been discovered. Archaeologists note that despite fewer jade findings, it’s clear that after the Han Dynasty, jade production shifted from burial objects to items for daily use.
This priceless jade cup is incredibly valuable.
The precious white jade cup clearly transcended the traditional Han Dynasty jade production process, evolving into a practical daily item. Experts suggest that gold-inlaid objects like this were very rare during the Northern Zhou and Sui Dynasties. The gold inlay significantly enhanced the jade cup’s value. Gold-inlaid jade cups not only created sharp color contrasts but also enriched the visual experience.
A Meaningful Inscription
The gold-inlaid white jade cup was crafted with the auspicious meaning of “jin yu man tang” (金玉满堂), which translates to “gold and jade filling the house.” This symbolized abundant wealth and conveyed good wishes for a prosperous and plentiful life for the owner.
Despite its small size, the cup holds immense material and spiritual value. It also reflects Empress Yang Lihua’s deep affection for her beloved granddaughter.
The four characters “kai zhe ji si” (开者即死) carved on the coffin lid sent shivers down many people’s spines, who believed it to be a curse.
The Chilling Curse
However, what sent shivers down everyone’s spines was the discovery of four characters inscribed on the sarcophagus lid: “kai zhe ji si” (开者即死), meaning “whoever opens it shall die,” adding a layer of mystery to this ancient tomb. Many archaeologists believe this is why the tomb remained undisturbed for over 1,400 years—solely because of these four characters carved on the sarcophagus lid.
On the Chinese social media platform Zhihu, many have commented on these mysterious four characters. Some believe it was a terrible curse intended for tomb raiders. Others, however, speculate that Empress Yang Lihua, deeply grieved by Li Jingxun’s death, deliberately inscribed these words to protect her beloved granddaughter, even after their earthly lives had ended.