Ceramic works featuring animals first appeared as early as 4000 years BC in ancient China. In our collection, we have a black pottery duck-shaped incense burner from the Hong-shan culture period, approximately 5000 years old, which can be considered one of the earlies examples of masterpiece. Animal images on ancient Chinese ceramics mostly represented the ancients' wishes for a good life or were imbued with special political or religious meanings. For instance, fish often symbolized abundance (having surplus) or good luck (fish leaping over the dragon gate). Deer represented wealth, while cranes symbolized longevity. The most commonly seen images - dragons and phoenixes, often symbolized imperial power and super-natural strength. Therefore, it can be said that almost all animal images in ancient Chinese ceramics have specific meanings. The ancient Chinese even invented the so-called "auspicious beasts" to symbolize certain special meanings. For instance, the commonly seen unicorn "Xiezhi" during the Yuan Dynasty was a metaphor of justice in the law system.