China's national museum celebrates Year of Snake with new exhibition

The National Museum of China unveiled a new exhibition in honor of the Year of the Snake, showcasing over 200 exceptional artifacts from its extensive collection.

The 2025 Spring Festival, or the Chinese New Year's Day, fell on Wednesday, ushering in the Year of the Snake. The zodiac snake ranks the sixth in the cycle of 12 zodiac animals on the Chinese lunar calendar.

The immersive display highlights the rich cultural significance of the Spring Festival and offers visitors a deeper understanding of the symbolism and artistic traditions associated with the holiday.

A focal point of the exhibition is a Tang Dynasty (618-907) artwork depicting the mythological figures Fuxi and Nvwa, revered as the ancestors of the Chinese people.

"The serpent-like lower body is intertwined in a spiral structure, representing the continuity of life. The concept of yin and yang [describing an opposite but interconnected, self-perpetuating cycle] are [is] encapsulated in this artwork, reflecting the Chinese understanding of the universe in ancient times," Zhuge Yingliang, the exhibition curator, explained. The exhibition also highlights the frequent appearance of serpents in ancient Chinese art, particularly during the Shang and Zhou Dynasties (1600-771 B.C.), where serpentine motifs were often used on bronze vessels. These motifs symbolized reproduction, wisdom and strength.

"The serpent pattern on the wings of the owl vessel carries the connotations of rising power, imbuing it with greater strength," said Zhuge.

Another standout artifact is a Qing Dynasty (1644-1911) porcelain vase, renowned for its vibrant glazes in yellow, blue, green and red, creating vivid color blocks reminiscent of fireworks.

This piece radiates the festive spirit of the Chinese New Year and represents people's best wishes for lasting prosperity and grandeur.

"In Chinese culture, lanterns symbolize good fortune. The imagery which looks like vibrant fireworks is attached to this porcelain piece. During the Qianlong period [the Qianlong reign (1735-1796) of the Qing Dynasty], we often see more figurative patterns, while such abstract and contemporary designs are rare on porcelain. This artifact allows us to transcend time," said Zhuge.

The exhibition, officially opened on Jan 22, spans a wide range of categories, including bronze, jade, ceramics, and gold and silver cultural relics, showcasing the artistic achievements of Chinese culture.

China's national museum celebrates Year of Snake with new exhibition

China's manned deep-sea submersible Jiaolong has completed a significant upgrade and started underwater trials, according to the country's Ministry of Natural Resources.

The China-made underwater ship, named after a mythical sea dragon, is capable of diving to depths exceeding 7,000 meters. It has completed over 300 dives since its maiden mission in August 2009 and explored waters in the Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean and Atlantic Ocean.

This latest upgrade, which began in November last year, aims to enhance its capabilities and support more frequent deep-sea missions.

According to the National Deep Sea Base Management Center, the upgrade focuses on critical components like the propulsion system and battery packs.

The propulsion system has been adjusted structurally to increase the speed from 2.5 to over three nautical miles per hour, with the replacement of three-bladed propellers with more efficient four-bladed versions.

The zinc-silver battery pack has been replaced with high-energy-density flexible lithium battery pack, which aims to improve the power reserve and reduce diving costs.

The submersible's observation capabilities have also been enhanced. An array of cameras, including high-definition video cameras and powerful lighting systems, are equipped to facilitate underwater exploration and resource assessment.

Further upgrades include two more LED light arrays at the front and three more lights at the rear and bottom, expanding the submersible's detection range and improving its ability to locate specific targets.

"This upgrade prioritizes enhancing our operational tools. We've upgraded the electrical systems, propulsion, mechanical components, observation, and communications equipment to cater to the needs of deep-sea exploration and improve operational efficiency," said Qi Haibin, a submersible pilot.

Following the underwater trials to test its stability, Jiaolong will undergo sea trials in the South China Sea in March to validate its enhanced capabilities.

"Jiaolong will be sent to the South China Sea to conduct deep-sea equipment verification. After completing the process, there will be extensive missions ahead of us," Qi said.

The submersible is scheduled for further scientific expeditions in the Pacific and Indian Oceans later this year.

China's manned deep-sea submersible completes major upgrade, prepares for exploration