【Relics Become Icons】 Xiao You (Owl-shaped Vessel)

如果文物界也有“萌主”选拔赛，那么在山西这片青铜器的沃土上，这一件山西博物院的商代酒器，绝对能凭借一张“脸”杀出重围，C位出道，成为文物界的“顶流网红”——它就是鸮卣，被无数网友亲切地称为“最萌青铜器”。

If there were a “Cuteness Contest” in the world of cultural relics, this Shang Dynasty wine vessel from the Shanxi Museum—right here in Shanxi, a land rich in bronzes—would undoubtedly fight its way to the top, debut as the center stage act. It is the Xiao You, lovingly called the “cutest bronze vessel” by millions of netizens.

先来拆解一下它的名字。“鸮”，是猫头鹰，商代人眼中的“战神级”猛禽；“卣”，则是商周时期专用的高级酒器，相当于今天的“高端定制酒壶”。鸮卣，就是一只猫头鹰造型的豪华酒壶。

Let’s break down its name. “Xiao” means owl, a bird revered as a “warrior deity” in the Shang dynasty. “You” refers to a high-grade wine vessel specifically used during the Shang and Zhou dynasties—think of it as a “premium custom-made wine pitcher” of its time. So, Xiao You is essentially a luxurious wine vessel shaped like an owl.

但这可不是一只普通的猫头鹰。整体造型为两只靠背而立的猫头鹰，圆润敦实，憨态可掬。头顶一个小犄角，像一顶迷你皇冠；圆圆的眼睛里，透着一股清澈的“萌感”；胖胖的胳膊搭配微微“内八”的小脚丫，简直让人想隔着玻璃捏一把。别看它可爱，人家可是有傲然君临的气度——以盖为首，以器为身，浑身上下写满了“威武”二字。

But this is no ordinary owl. The overall form consists of two owls standing back to back, plump and solid, with an endearing, chunky charm. A small horn sits atop its head like a miniature crown. Its round eyes radiate an innocent, adorable quality. With its chubby little arms and slightly pigeon-toed feet, you can’t help but want to give it a squeeze—even through the glass. Despite its cuteness, it carries an air of sovereign dignity: the lid forms the head, and the vessel body forms the torso, with every inch exuding a sense of majestic power.

商代尚武，而猫头鹰昼伏夜出、爪利喙尖、一击必中，正是“战神”的象征。所以，这只萌哒哒的鸮卣，当年装的可不是果汁，而是敬奉神灵的烈酒。它是庄重的礼器，是权力的象征，是商人心目中战神的化身。

The Shang dynasty revered martial prowess, and the owl—hunting at night, sharp of claw and beak, striking with deadly precision—became a symbol of the “god of war.” So this adorable Xiao You wasn’t used to hold juice; it held strong wine offered to the gods. It was a solemn ritual vessel, a symbol of power, and the embodiment of the warrior deity in the Shang people’s imagination.

不过，三千多年后的今天，网友们可不管这些。因为它的造型酷似游戏中的小鸟形象，大家直接给它封了个更接地气的外号——古代版“愤怒的小鸟”。从战神到“愤怒的小鸟”，这大概是文物史上最欢乐的“降维打击”了。

But more than three thousand years later, internet users don’t really care about all that. Because its shape bears a striking resemblance to a certain bird character from a popular video game, they’ve given it a much more down-to-earth nickname: the ancient version of the “Angry Bird.” From war god to Angry Bird—this might just be the happiest case of “downgrading” in cultural relic history.

2023年，山西博物院趁热打铁，推出了以鸮卣为代表的“铜”趣系列毛绒玩具。这款毛绒版鸮卣，精准保留了那双大圆眼和“内八”小脚丫，却把青铜的厚重变成了毛绒的柔软。一改往日的冷硬，“绒”化你的心。

In 2023, the Shanxi Museum seized the moment and launched the “Bronze Fun” series of plush toys, featuring Xiao You as the star. This plush version of Xiao You faithfully retains those big round eyes and the pigeon-toed little feet, but replaces the weight of bronze with the softness of plush. Gone is the cold hardness of metal—this little guy will melt your heart.

三千多年前，鸮卣里装的是敬神的烈酒；三千多年后，它怀里揣的，是我们满满的好奇和喜爱。从“战神”到“萌神”，变的不是它的模样，而是我们看它的眼神。也许，文物“潮出圈”最动人的地方，就是它能让我们在忍不住笑出来的那一刻，和三千年前的祖先，隔空击了个掌。

Over three thousand years ago, the Xiao You held strong wine offered to the gods. Three thousand years later, it now holds our boundless curiosity and affection. From “God of War” to “God of Cuteness,” what has changed is not its appearance, but the way we look at it. Perhaps the most delightful thing about a cultural relic “going viral” is that, in the moment it makes us smile, we find ourselves sharing a high-five across three thousand years with our ancient ancestors.

（图源网络侵删）

(The image source is from the internet. If infringement, it will be deleted.)

来源：中华网综合整理

Source: Comprehensive collation by sx.china.com