——Exploring 5,000 Years of Civilization in Shanxi

　　How dark were the nights during the Western Han dynasty? Don't worry—the Shanxi Museum has a piece of "high-tech" lighting magic that could give you a smoke-free experience over 2,000 years ago. It's the Bronze Wild Goose-and-Fish Lamp.

　　Unearthed in 1986 in Wuxingzhuang, Xiangfen County, Linfen City, Shanxi Province, this lamp is now a national first-class cultural relic and holds a prime spot in the Shanxi Museum. Standing over 50 centimeters tall, it takes the form of a wild goose turning its head back to hold a fish in its beak. With its ancient charm and elegant, unique design, the goose has a plump body, wide-open eyes, and a slender neck. The fish, short and chubby, is cleverly connected to the lamp shade—not only beautiful to look at, but also packed with the thoughtful ingenuity of Han dynasty designers.

　　The "black technology" of this lamp lies in its structure. It consists of four parts: the goose's head, the goose's body, the lamp plate, and the lamp shade, all of which can be freely disassembled and reassembled. Below the fish's belly are two curved lampshades and a lamp plate with a handle. By rotating and adjusting them, you can block the wind and control the brightness and direction of the light. Even more amazing: when the flame is lit, the smoke is drawn through the goose's hollowneck into the goose's body, where it dissolves in clean water. That's right—over 2,000 years ago, people in the Western Han dynasty were already using a "water filtration" system. It's no exaggeration to call it the world's earliest "eco-friendly lamp."

　　Beyond its hardcore technology, this lamp also carries a soft and auspicious meaning. The wild goose was seen by the ancients as a bird that delivers longing and blessings. The word for "fish" in Chinese sounds like the word for "abundance," symbolizing a life of plenty. A wild goose holding a fish in its beak is not only a beautiful image but also carries all the hopes of Han dynasty people for a better life. The combination of fish and goose has become a warm and enduring part of the aesthetic foundation of Chinese culture.

　　Today, the Shanxi Museum has launched a DIY paper craft lamp inspired by this bronze original. Through steps like cutting, creasing, and assembling, you can build your very own "Bronze Wild Goose-and-Fish Lamp." Each piece comes with an embedded LED candle. When you turn on the light, the three-dimensional effect is stunning. It's a fun and brainy activity that lets you use both your hands and your mind.

　　Under a clear sky with a few scattered stars, an ancient lamp keeps you company. When the soft glow of the LED lights up, the ingenuity of the Western Han dynasty from 2,000 years ago and the craftsmanship of modern hands quietly meet across time. Take it home, and you bring back a miniature memory of the "majestic glory of the Han dynasty."

　　Source: Comprehensive collation by sx.china.com