Datong Nine Dragon Wall: Ming Dynasty Spirit Screen. Built in 1392 for Prince Zu Gui, son of Ming Dynasty founding emperor Wall measures 150 ft long and 26 ft high, 6.5 ft thick Covered in 426 luminous glazed tiles in five colors: azure, green, purple, black, and imperial yellow
Built in 1392 CE, China's Datong Nine Dragon Wall stretches 150 ft long and 26 ft high, covered in 426 luminous glazed tiles in five colors. The nine four-clawed dragons (five-claw dragons were emperor-only) encircle a central yellow dragon clutching the flaming pearl of enlightenment. Spirit walls were based on Chinese cosmology—spirits move in straight lines and can be blocked.
Key Facts
- Built in 1392 for Prince Zu Gui, son of Ming Dynasty founding emperor
- Wall measures 150 ft long and 26 ft high, 6.5 ft thick
- Covered in 426 luminous glazed tiles in five colors: azure, green, purple, black, and imperial yellow
- Features nine dragons with four claws (five-claw dragons reserved for emperor only)
- Central yellow dragon in frontal pose clutching flaming pearl of enlightenment
- Spirit walls based on Chinese cosmology - spirits move in straight lines and can be blocked
- Earliest known spirit wall dates to 12th century BCE in Shaanxi province
Related site: Datong Goenpa — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: 5 Most Massive Unexplained Ancient Walls by Dark5 Ancient Mysteries