Bronze sacred trees at Sanxingdui Museum

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The Massive Bronze Sacred Tree, also known as the No. 1 Sacred Tree, is one of the most iconic treasures at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province.

Though incomplete at the top, the restored tree still stands at an impressive 396 centimeters tall, making it the largest single bronze artifact ever discovered in the world.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/443aefbbbd90423d96810c5a85509947/443aefbbbd90423d96810c5a85509947.jpeg'
This photo shows birds perching along the branches of the No. 1 Sacred Tree at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/443aefbbbd90423d96810c5a85509947/443aefbbbd90423d96810c5a85509947.jpeg'
This photo shows birds perching along the branches of the No. 1 Sacred Tree at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/443aefbbbd90423d96810c5a85509947/443aefbbbd90423d96810c5a85509947.jpeg'
This photo shows birds perching along the branches of the No. 1 Sacred Tree at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/443aefbbbd90423d96810c5a85509947/443aefbbbd90423d96810c5a85509947.jpeg'
This photo shows birds perching along the branches of the No. 1 Sacred Tree at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN

The base of the tree resembles three interconnected mountain peaks. From this foundation rises the trunk with three tiers of branches. Nine birds perch along the branches, while a dragon stretches down one side of the trunk, poised to take flight.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/3e5b197dc22d43409cb27517c841eec4/3e5b197dc22d43409cb27517c841eec4.jpeg'
The No. 3 Sacred Tree is seen on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/3e5b197dc22d43409cb27517c841eec4/3e5b197dc22d43409cb27517c841eec4.jpeg'
The No. 3 Sacred Tree is seen on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/3e5b197dc22d43409cb27517c841eec4/3e5b197dc22d43409cb27517c841eec4.jpeg'
The No. 3 Sacred Tree is seen on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/3e5b197dc22d43409cb27517c841eec4/3e5b197dc22d43409cb27517c841eec4.jpeg'
The No. 3 Sacred Tree is seen on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN

The partly restored No. 3 Sacred Tree, however, looks very different. Its branches are twisted and its main trunk is only about 1 centimeter in diameter.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/4e6791ffbccd4bfebf842a40e3d163bd/4e6791ffbccd4bfebf842a40e3d163bd.jpeg'
The lower part of a bronze tree unearthed from the Sanxingdui Ruins is seen on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/4e6791ffbccd4bfebf842a40e3d163bd/4e6791ffbccd4bfebf842a40e3d163bd.jpeg'
The lower part of a bronze tree unearthed from the Sanxingdui Ruins is seen on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/4e6791ffbccd4bfebf842a40e3d163bd/4e6791ffbccd4bfebf842a40e3d163bd.jpeg'
The lower part of a bronze tree unearthed from the Sanxingdui Ruins is seen on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/4e6791ffbccd4bfebf842a40e3d163bd/4e6791ffbccd4bfebf842a40e3d163bd.jpeg'
The lower part of a bronze tree unearthed from the Sanxingdui Ruins is seen on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN

For many other bronze trees, only some sections have survived, such as the bases or branch-top birds, with the rest lost to time. Yet the intricate details of these remains still showcase the remarkable craftsmanship of ancient artisans.

<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/c7bbd2a5bb134158a1c2b37c612d0204/c7bbd2a5bb134158a1c2b37c612d0204.jpeg'
Coin-shaped ornaments are seen on the branches and leaves of a bronze tree on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/c7bbd2a5bb134158a1c2b37c612d0204/c7bbd2a5bb134158a1c2b37c612d0204.jpeg'
Coin-shaped ornaments are seen on the branches and leaves of a bronze tree on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/c7bbd2a5bb134158a1c2b37c612d0204/c7bbd2a5bb134158a1c2b37c612d0204.jpeg'
Coin-shaped ornaments are seen on the branches and leaves of a bronze tree on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN
<img src='https://news.cgtn.com/news/2025-08-13/Bronze-sacred-trees-at-Sanxingdui-Museum-1FNZY0xoKD6/img/c7bbd2a5bb134158a1c2b37c612d0204/c7bbd2a5bb134158a1c2b37c612d0204.jpeg'
Coin-shaped ornaments are seen on the branches and leaves of a bronze tree on display at the Sanxingdui Museum in Sichuan Province. /CGTN

Also on display is a bronze tree adorned with coin-shaped ornaments on its branches and leaves. Unearthed not from the Sanxingdui Ruins but from an Eastern Han Dynasty tomb, this “money tree” offers a glimpse into the evolution of tree worship and artistry in ancient China.

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