The pattern basin of fish face can be said to be a representative symbol of prehistoric culture, which is found in middle school history textbooks. When it comes to the mermaid basin, everyone thinks of Banpo site. After reading the introduction of Jiangzhai site in China Historical Canon, we know that the basin with fish face pattern is not unique to Banpo.
So far, fish noodle pots have been found in four sites in China * * *, namely Anbanpo site (7 pieces), Lintong Jiangzhai site (3 pieces), Baoji Beishouling site (1 fragment) and Xixiang Hejiawan site (1 fragment). These four sites belong to Banpo type in Yangshao culture. At present, the pot fish pattern on Jiangzhai site displayed in Shaanxi History Museum is about 6700 years ago.
I looked at the photos of noodle fish pots in history textbooks before, but because they were not introduced in detail, I took it for granted that they were the daily utensils of prehistoric people. I didn't know it was a burial utensil until I read the introduction of The History of China.
At that time, the survival rate of children was not very high. After the child dies, parents will put the child's bones in the urn, then buckle the basin on the urn and bury it near the house. There are small holes at the bottom of the pottery basin, which ancestors thought could be used for the souls of the dead to enter and exit. These two holes are for the convenience of children's souls to enter and leave freely, which shows that people have developed the concept of immortality at that time. A face surrounded by fish is painted on the inner wall, which may be a totem at that time, or it may contain the blessing of the living to the dead and the affection of the elders to the younger generation.
Yangshao culture is also called "painted pottery culture". Painted pottery refers to drawing various patterns and patterns on the inner and outer walls of pottery with mineral pigments with high iron content. Face fish tank is one of the representative works of painted pottery. The face in the painting is wearing pointed ornaments, a round face, a triangular nose and two small fish in his mouth. There are different opinions about its meaning at home and abroad, so I won't repeat them here. Interested friends can refer to the relevant contents in the book "China Historical Code".
No matter what it means, water waves flow on the fish basin and fish swim in it, which vividly reflects the close relationship and special feelings between prehistoric humans and fish.