Special supplement: Glories of the ancient Shu

When you drive from the airport to downtown Chengdu, you may cross a cable bridge.

On top of a tower that supports the bridge is a yellow, round carving. In the middle is a sun in the shape of a spinning gear with a dozen sunbeams. Outward are four birds flying counterclockwise. It is beautifully abstract and symbolic. It is the emblem of Chengdu.

The sunbird image was taken from a gold foil artifact uncovered in Jinsha, an archaeological site in the western suburb of Chengdu. The site was accidentally discovered in February 2001 during a construction project.