Hong Kong Palace Museum |

Sun-shaped object

The object has a shape like a wheel, with five spokes (or radiating bands of light) connecting the raised central roundel and the outer rim. The central roundel and the outer rim have small holes used for attachment purposes. The archaeological context of the object indicates that it was smashed and burned. Its function and symbolic meaning remain unclear, although many scholars associate it with the sun and sun worship. Similar patterns have been found on bronze altars and bronze mythical creatures unearthed at Sanxingdui. Some scholars prefer to refer to it as a wheel-shaped object.