The Shanxi Museum unveiled two Spring Festival exhibitions, Seeking Snakes – Snakes Hidden in the Shanxi Museum and Snake Blessings – Yisi Snake Year Zodiac Artifact Exhibition, on Jan 22, inviting visitors to experience the unique Chinese New Year culture. Both snake-themed exhibitions will run until March 2.

The exhibition hall of Seeking Snakes – Snakes Hidden in the Shanxi Museum. [Photo/Yellow River News]

The exhibition Seeking Snakes – Snakes Hidden in the Shanxi Museum features a comprehensive display of snake-shaped artifacts housed in the museum through eight sections. The exhibition showcases eight snake artifacts dating from the Shang Dynasty (c.16th century-11th century BC) to the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), with six pieces making their debut.

Visitors can explore a variety of snake patterns on bronze wares, jade artifacts, brick carvings, and murals, while delving into the history of snake culture through digital and multimedia means.

Viewers experience the "Today, Searching for Snakes" activity at the Shanxi Museum. [Photo/Yellow River News]

The Snake Blessings – Yisi Snake Year Zodiac Artifacts Exhibition is taking place at the Shanxi Bronze Museum affiliated to the Shanxi Museum. This exhibition gathers snake-themed cultural relics and artworks from museums nationwide, divided into three units to provide a comprehensive interpretation of snake culture for visitors through the displayed artifacts and image materials.

Furthermore, the Shanxi Museum plans to extend the snake zodiac exhibitions in the form of pictures to rural areas, communities, and beyond to reach a wider audience.

An artifact with snake patterns. [Photo/Yellow River News]