Dazu in Detail: Five Musicians 17 January 2011 This piece depicts five musicians on a balcony, playing (from left to right) a yaogu (waist drum), xiao (end-blown flute), di (side-blown flute), zhuban (bamboo clapper) and changgu (long hourglass drum) This group was excavated from a tomb at Moerpo in Dazu county and was intended to entertain the wealthy tomb-owner in the afterlife. Song dynasty [AD960-1279] Click on the links below to explore the musician's instruments in more detail Waist drum End-blown flute Side-blown flute Bamboo clapper Long hourglass drum Waist drum This is a yaogu, a drum tied to the musician's waist and often played by dancers End-blown flute This is a xiao, an end-blown flute traditionally made of bamboo. Side-blown flute This is a di, a side-blown flute usually made of bamboo and with a reed membrane inside to give it a distinctive sound. Bamboo clapper This is a zhuban, a percussion instrument played by clapping together several flat pieces of bamboo. Long hourglass drum This is a changgu, an hourglass-shaped drum with two ends that produce sounds in a different pitch.
Dazu in Detail: The Sakyamuni Buddha 17 January 2011 Sakyamuni ['Sage of the Sakya tribe'] is the title given to the historical Buddha. He was born Siddhartha Guatama in modern Nepal, and probably lived between 563 and 483BC. Here we focus on the various typical characteristics of Sakyamuni Buddha - hair style, the 'urna' ('third eye'), ears, hand gestures (mudra), lotus flower base. Click on the links below to explore this rock carving in more detail Hair style Third eye Ears Hand gestures Lotus flower base Hair style The Buddha's hair is depicted as short curls, which grew after he cut off his long hair and beard with his sword to show how he had rejected his previous life of luxury. Third eye Between his eyebrows, the Buddha has a tuft of hair or a third eye known as the urna, symbolising his spiritual insight. Ears The Buddha's elongated ears are a reminder of the heavy earrings and other jewellery that he once wore, before he rejected the life of princely luxury that he had been born into. Hand gestures The Buddha's missing right hand was probably once raised with the palm facing forwards, the gesture of protection and reassurance known as abhaya mudra. Or it may have had the tips of the thumb and forefinger touching, the gesture of Buddhist teaching known as vitarka mudra. The Buddha's left hand is in avakasha mudra, the gesture of leisure. Lotus flower base The lotus flower is a Buddhist symbol of purity and enlightenment, because it grows out of the mud at the bottom of a pond but remains unspoiled at the surface.
Autographs from Captain Scott’s 1910 Antarctic Expedition. 12 November 2010 The Terra Nova loading in Bute East Dock, Cardiff, June 1910 Scott’s 1910-13 British Antarctic Expedition Scott’s 1910-13 British Antarctic Expedition captured the imagination of the British public, most especially when the expedition ship, the Terra Nova, returned to Cardiff from the South without Scott and four of his companions. The autographs of the expedition members were much sought after. In the collections of Amgueddfa Cymru there are three items, two dating from the start of the expedition and one from the end, together bearing the signatures of 27 of the officers, scientists and crew of Scott’s expedition. Amongst them are the signatures of Scott, Wilson, Bowers and Oates who died on the return march from the South Pole. Notably absent on the documents from the start of the expedition is the signature of Welshman Edgar Evans from Rhossili on Gower who was the first to die on the return from the South Pole; he was merely a Petty Officer. Sailing towards Antarctica, June 1910 Setting off from Cardiff Accompanying a photograph of the Terra Nova and the ship’s and other officers are the signatures of: E. L. Atkinson Surgeon Edward Leicester Atkinson, RN (1881-1929). Main Party Surgeon and parasitologist. Atkinson led the search party which found the bodies of Scott, Wilson and Bowers in November 1912. W. W. Archer W.W. Archer, RN (Retired). Chief Steward, Shore Party. G. Murray Levick Surgeon George Murray Levick, RN (1877-1956). Surgeon on the Northern Party of the expedition, surviving for seven months through the winter in an ice cave. He studied the Adélie Penguin colony at Cape Adare and later wrote a book on Antarctic penguins. L. E. G. Oates Captain Lawrence Edward Grace Oates (1880-1912), 6th Inniskilling Dragoons. Weakened by severely frostbitten feet, Oates died on the return march from the South Pole, on 16 March 1912 when he famously told his companions Scott, Wilson and Bowers, “I am just going outside and may be some time” as left the tent and crawled out into the blizzard. E. R. G. R. Evans Lieutenant Edward (Teddy) Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, RN (1881-1957). Second-in-Command. Evans was instrumental in garnering Welsh support and sponsorship for the expedition and took over command of the expedition after Scott died. R. Scott Captain Robert Falcon Scott, CVO, RN (1868-1912). Expedition Leader. Scott had led the 1901-04 Discovery Expedition and returned to lead the Terra Nova Expedition. He reached the South Pole on 16 January 1912 with Wilson, Bowers, Oates and Edgar Evans. All five died on the return journey. The Terra Nova Sails towards Antarctica Letter dated June 17th 1910, At Sea, from Teddy Evans to P. Lowry Rusden of The Mercantile Pontoon Co Ltd, Roath Dock, Cardiff on British Antarctic Expedition headed paper: "... We had a fine breeze early yesterday & have been sailing over 8 knots ever since. I don’t think any of us will forget Cardiff. Sailing towards Antarctica, June 1910 Signatures of Edward R. G. R. Evans Lieutenant Edward (Teddy) Ratcliffe Garth Russell Evans, RN (1881-1957). Second-in-Command. With Welsh support and sponsorship, Evans had been planning his own Antarctic expedition when he heard about Scott’s plans. He later had a distinguished naval career and was created Lord Mountevens in 1946. D. G. Lillie Dennis G. Lillie MA. Ship’s Party Biologist Victor Campbell Lieutenant Victor Lindsey Arbuthnot Campbell, RN (1875-1956). Leader of the Northern Party, initially based at Cape Adare in Victoria Land. The six men of the Northern party were later stranded farther south along the coast and survived seven months of winter in an ice cave with little food and only their summer clothing. Apsley Cherry-Garrard Apsley George Benet Cherry-Garrard BA (1886-1959). Assistant Zoologist. Cherry-Garrard paid £1000 to join the Expedition. With Wilson and Bowers he made a winter journey to collect Emperor Penguin eggs which he later described in his book, The worst journey in the world. He was a member of the search party which found the bodies of Scott, Wilson and Bowers in November 1912. H. Rennick Lieutenant Henry E. de P. Rennick, RN. First Officer on the Terra Nova. E. W. Nelson Edward W Nelson (1883-1923). Biologist, Shore Party. Edward A. Wilson Dr Edward Adrian Wilson (1872-1912). Chief Scientist and Zoologist, Shore Party. Wilson had been with Scott on the 1901-4 Discovery Expedition. A skilled and talented artist and zoologist, Wilson was a close friend of Scott. He died with Scott and Bowers in their tent on the Ross Ice Shelf on their return from the South Pole in March 1912. E. L. Atkinson Surgeon Edward Leicester Atkinson, RN (1881-1929). Main Party Surgeon and parasitologist. Atkinson led the search party which found the bodies of Scott, Wilson and Bowers in November 1912. H. R. Bowers Lieutenant Henry Robertson Bowers, Royal Indian Marines (1883-1912). Scott put Bowers in charge of stores. He was a member of the final Polar Party and died with Scott and Wilson in their tent on the Ross Ice Shelf in March 1912 on the return march from the South Pole. The Return to Cardiff, 1913 The Return to Cardiff Signatures of officers and crew of RYS Terra Nova on their return to Cardiff June 14/13 (Saturday). New Zealand One Penny stamp, overprinted “Victoria Land” and franked “British Antarctic Expedition Ja 18 [19]13”. The signatures on this sheet are of interest because although they include four of the officers and scientists, the signatures are mostly those of the lower ranks, indicating that all of the crew were regarded as celebrities upon the expedition’s return. W. W. Archer W Archer, RN (Retired). Chief Steward, Shore Party. A. Cherry-Garrard Apsley Cherry-Garrard Assistant Zoologist. E. W. Nelson Edward W Nelson. Biologist. E. L. Atkinson Surgeon Edward L Atkinson RN. Main Party Surgeon and parasitologist. Wm W. Williams C.E.R.A. 2nd Class William W. Williams, RN. Chief Engineer, Ship’s Party. W. A. Horton E.R.A. 3rd Class William A. Horton, RN. Second Engineer, Ship’s Party. T. S. Williamson Petty Officer 1st Class Thomas S. Williamson, RN. Shore Party. He had served with Scott on the 1901-4 Discovery Expedition. He was a member of the search party which found the bodies of Scott, Wilson and Bowers in November 1912. H. Dickason Able Seaman Harry Dickason, RN. Northern Party. A. Balson Leading Seaman Albert Balson, R.N. Ship’s Party. W. H. Neale Steward W.H. Neale. Ship’s Party. F. Parsons Petty Officer 1st Class Frederick Parsons, RN. Ship’s Party. Victor Campbell Lieutenant Victor Lindsey Arbuthnot Campbell, RN (1875-1956). Leader of the Northern Party. Mortimer McCarthy Able Seaman Mortimer McCarthy. Ship’s Party. Wm L. Heald Petty Officer 1st Class William L. Heald, RN (Retired). Ship’s Party. He had served with Scott on the 1901-4 Discovery Expedition. W. Lashly Chief Stoker William Lashly, RN (1867-1940). Shore Party. He served with Scott on the 1901-4 Discovery Expedition. He was a member of the search party which found the bodies of Scott, Wilson and Bowers in November 1912. After the First World War, Lashly settled in Cardiff, working as a customs officer until 1932 when he retired to Hampshire. H. Pennell Lieutenant Harry Lewin Lee Pennell, RN (1882-1916). Ship’s Party, Navigator. F. E. Davies Leading Shipwright Francis E.C. Davies, RN. Carpenter, Ship’s Party. A. S. Bailey Petty Officer 2nd Class Arthur S. Bailey, RN. Ship’s Party J. Lees Able Seaman Joseph Lees, RN. Ship’s Party.
The Welsh in Antarctica 29 October 2010 Royal Research Ship Discovery II in loose pack ice, Bouvet Island, Southern Ocean, 1926. One of the most poignant Welsh stories from Scott's 1910-13 British Antarctic Expedition is that of Petty Officer Edgar Evans from Rhossili in Gower, one of the team of five who made it to the South Pole with Scott himself. Evans was the first to die on the return march from the South Pole. Here we explore other Welsh links with Antarctica — a geologist from St Fagans, and the Antarctic work of a zoologist from St Brides Major who later became Director of the National Museum. Edgeworth David (standing), aged about 7, with his sister Ethel (left) and two brothers (Edmund and Arthur), photographed in Cardiff in about 1865. Sir Tannat William Edgeworth David (1858-1934) by Norman Carter. © Estate of Norman Carter. Dilwyn John's Polar Medal. A Welsh Geologist at the South Magnetic Pole The geologist T.W. Edgeworth David was born in 1858 in St Fagans where his father was rector. He studied glacial deposits in south Wales before moving to Australia in 1882 to join the Geological Survey of New South Wales. In 1891 he was appointed Professor of Geology at the University of Sydney. He became one of Australia's most famous scientists. David joined Ernest Shackleton's Nimrod expedition in 1907. In March 1908, aged 50, he led the first ascent of Mount Erebus, an active volcano on Ross Island. With Douglas Mawson and Alistair Mackay, in January 1909, he was the first to reach the region of the South Magnetic Pole. His journey of 2,028 kilometres took 122 days and is one of the longest unsupported man-hauled sledging journeys ever undertaken. He persuaded the Australian government to contribute towards Scott's 1910 expedition and helped him appoint geologists from among his students. He was awarded the Polar Medal in 1910 and an honorary degree by the University of Wales in 1921. Dilwyn John and the Discovery Investigations Scott's first Antarctic ship, Discovery, returned to the continent in 1925 in the first of a series of scientific research cruises in the Southern Ocean to study the biology of the Southern Ocean and the effects of commercial whaling on the whale populations. This research, known as the Discovery Investigations, continued until 1951. David Dilwyn John (1901-95), from St Bride's Major in Glamorgan, was a zoologist who participated in three of these cruises between 1925 and 1935. The first, on Discovery, between 1925 and 1927, worked in the seas around South Georgia and the Antarctic Peninsula. He then spent two years on RRS William Scoresby on a whale marking expedition around South Georgia. In 1931-33, he was Chief Scientist on Discovery II on the first winter circumnavigation of Antarctica. In 1935 John joined the staff of the British Museum (Natural History) as Assistant Keeper of Zoology. He left in 1948 to become Director of the National Museum of Wales, a post he held until 1968. He was awarded the Polar Medal in 1941. Dilwyn John on his retirement as Director of the National Museum of Wales in 1968. Dilwyn John (on right) on John Peaks (415 metres), named after him on Powell Island, South Orkney Islands, 1933.
The Gorsedd Circle 25 July 2010 A huge crowd watching a ceremony in the Gorsedd Circle, in the Castle grounds, Aberystwyth, either during the Proclamation Ceremony, 1914 or during the Eisteddfod week itself, 1916. The Maen Chwŷf and Gorsedd Stones, Pontypridd The Proclamation Ceremony for the Newport and District National Eisteddfod, 1987 with Elerydd (W.J.Gruffydd) as Archdruid and Gwyn Tre-arth leading the singing on the Logan Stone. Successful young candidates (13-14 years old) in the Gorsedd examinations, invested as members in Swansea, 1962. The Proclamation CeremonyThe visit of the National Eisteddfod and the Gorsedd of the Bards to a specific area has to be proclaimed at least a year and a day in advance. During the ceremony the Recorder reads the Proclamation Scroll and the first copy of the list of competitions for the following year's National Eisteddfod is presented to the Archdruid.When Lord Rhys held a competition for poets and musicians at his court in Cardigan castle in 1176 it was noted that it had been proclaimed throughout Wales, Scotland, Ireland, England and the other islands a year in advance. This custom was revived when eisteddfodau were re-established in Wales at the end of the eighteenth century and likewise, in 1791, Iolo Morganwg chose to proclaim that the Gorsedd of the Bards of the Isle of Britain would hold its first ceremony on Primrose Hill, London, on June 21, 1792. This pattern has been adhered to ever since.From pebbles to fake stonesThe Proclamation Ceremony and other Gorsedd ceremonies held during the week of the National Eisteddfod are held within the Gorsedd Stone Circle.The remarkable stone remains at Avebury in Wiltshire and Dyffryn Golych, in his native county, probably influenced Iolo Morganwg's vision of a Celtic druidic stone circle. Thus, the first Gorsedd in 1792 was held within a circle of stones, with a Maen Gorsedd at its centre. However when Iolo came to link the Eisteddfod and the Gorsedd at Carmarthen in 1819 all he had to hand was a fistful of pebbles. Only Bards were allowed within this sacred circle of stones.In Glamorganshire the Maen Chwŷf, a huge slab of slate stone, near Eglwysilan, was seen as a natural gorsedd and several meetings of the Glamorgan Chair were held on it during the first half of the nineteenth century.Towards the end of the century, in order to inform future gorseddau, the Herald Bard - Arlunydd Pen-y-garn made a detailed plan of the Gorsedd Circle, and this was followed in the Cardiff Eisteddfod, 1899. According to this plan the stone to the east, the Maen Cyfamod, and the two Portal stones formed the shape of the mystic mark. For a time it was fashionable to dress the stones with oak and mistletoe leaves. To facilitate holding the Gorsedd Circle on the Eisteddfod field itself during the week of the Eisteddfod, it was decided in 2004 to use fake (but realistic-looking) stones.The Circle during Eisteddfod weekThe Monday morning ritesThe Hirlas Horn (the horn of plenty) is presented to the Archdruid and the Celts and other representatives from abroad are welcomed by the Gorsedd. The Recorder commemorates those Gorseddogion who have died during the past year and a hymn of remembrance is sung. Then the ceremony of admitting new members through examination or degree to the Order of Ovates or Order of Bards takes place.The Friday morning ritesThe Blodeuged (the gift of flowers) is presented to the Archdruid and the Floral Dance is performed. New honorary members are admitted to the Order of Druids in Gorsedd.Admitting new membersThe Gorsedd of the Bards has three orders/degrees:The Order of Ovates: in green robes. Candidates who pass Levels 1 and 2 in Gorsedd examinations in poetry, prose, music, or the tests for harpists and singers are admitted into this order. Members can be admitted to the order as honorary members for contributions of national significance. Several members of the royal family, including Queen Elizabeth, the Duke of Edinburgh and King George, have been admitted to this Order.The Order of Bards, in blue robes. Those who have passed the final Gorsedd examination are admitted to this order. Those who have gained a degree in Welsh or Music (and who can speak Welsh) can also be admitted. Members are admitted to these orders during the Monday morning ceremony in the Gorsedd Circle. The Herald Bard and the Bearer of the Grand Sword walk towards the entrance to the Circle and hold the Sword across it to bar the way. Every new member places his/her right hand on the Sword's blade. After a new member has been admitted he/she is led by the Marshalls to the Mistress of the Robes to be invested with his/her Order's head-dress.The Order of Druids: in white robes. The winners of the main competitions - the Chair, the Crown and the Literary Medal - are admitted automatically to this Order. Others are 'elevated' to be Druids from the green or blue Orders. Every year, too, those who have served the nation, the Welsh language and its culture are honoured by being admitted to the Order of Druids, among them world-famous singers and actors such as Bryn Terfel, Sian Phillips and Ioan Gruffudd; influential Welshmen such as the Archbishop of Canterbury, the Right Reverend Rowan Williams and star footballers and rugby players.Iolo differentiated between the bardic orders in the first Gorsedd ceremony in 1792 although he also emphasised that they should be considered equal in status. By the second half of the nineteenth century there was real concern regarding the merit of Gorsedd degrees. The scholar, John Morris-Jones, was the severest critic, because, he claimed, 'candidates are admitted as members through an examination which is five times easier than the most basic University of Wales examination ...'. As a result candidates came to be examined more stringently in order to raise standards.
