Yagou Stone Carvings

Yagou Stone Carvings

The Yagou Stone Carvings are a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The Yagou Stone Carvings are located on the lower part of the cliff face at the western foot of Shiren Mountain, approximately 2.5 kilometers east of Yagou in Acheng District, Heilongjiang Province.

The carvings feature two figures—a man and a woman—seated together like a married couple. The left figure is that of a male warrior, 1.85 meters tall and 1.05 meters wide, facing southwest. He wears a battle helmet, a form-fitting short tunic with a round neckline, a cape draped over his shoulders, and boots. His left hand holds a sword. The figure has a robust build and a dignified, round facial structure. One leg is crossed over the other, exuding an extraordinary presence—it is a typical representation of a Jurchen warrior. The right figure depicts a noblewoman of the Jurchen people, wearing a hat, with her hands folded inside her sleeves, sitting cross-legged in a dignified posture. The outlines of the carvings are engraved 3–5 millimeters deep into the rock surface. They were first roughly shaped with metal tools and then carefully refined. Due to years of weathering, some parts have become worn and blurred. Judging from their artistic style, surrounding environment, and the motif of the couple sitting together, the carvings are believed to date back to the early Jin Dynasty. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units