This episode of the Museum Insights column concerns a celadon glazed porcelain bowl with the Chinese character ji, which means auspicious. Like pearls on the string of Sino-foreign exchanges, such precious objects was discovered under the sea after nearly a thousand years. This Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) bowl is exhibited at China National Archives of Publications and Culture and reflects the history of exchanges along the Maritime Silk Road. The Chinese character ji is engraved on the bottom of the bowl. It is said the character symbolizes the yearning of the Chinese people for an auspicious and peaceful life. It reminds Chinese of their ancestors exploring the world along the Maritime Silk Road thousands of years ago.
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