Qianling Wordless Stele, Stone monument at Qianling Mausoleum, China
The Qianling Wordless Stele is a large stone monument at the entrance to the Qianling Mausoleum, created entirely without inscriptions. Its surface features intricately carved dragons and ornamental designs, yet no written characters appear anywhere on it.
The stele was commissioned as part of the mausoleum complex during the late Tang Dynasty period. It emerged at a time of significant change in the empire, when power structures and traditional ways were being questioned.
The stone surface displays intricate dragon carvings that held deep meaning during the Tang period. These sculptures communicated power and status through imagery alone, speaking to the beliefs of that era.
The monument is accessible through visits to the entire mausoleum complex, located in a historical site northwest of Xi'an. Visitors should allow time to explore the full grounds and view the stone carvings from different angles.
Among all imperial monuments in Chinese history, this is the only one intentionally created with no written inscriptions whatsoever. This radical choice makes it a puzzling creation that invites visitors to contemplate its meaning.
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