Ancient 'bestie' figurine charms modern museum visitors

The relic was unearthed from the tomb of Yang Ji, an important politician from the Northern Wei Dynasty. It was found with other pottery in the shape of warriors, ceremonial attendants, and female laborers.

Huang Chao, director of the exhibition research department of the museum, praised the relics' exquisite detail, saying they vividly capture the postures and expressions of different figures.

"Pottery figurines in a hand-holding or side-by-side pose are exceptionally rare," he said. "This 'millennium sisters' figurine, with its unique design, resonates perfectly with young people's pursuit of ancient cultural knowledge and aesthetics."

Sun Haiyan, the museum's deputy director, said that the display cases were relocated to maintain order and better meet audience needs.

"This 'cross-temporal dialogue' fulfills young audiences' emotional connection with cultural symbols while expressing their appreciation and endorsement of traditional culture," Sun said.

Geng Shuo, associate professor of the School of Humanities at the Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, said the figurine's popularity reflects the evolving social role of museums.

"Traditionally seen as spaces for learning history and acquiring knowledge, museums have now transformed into multifaceted venues that encompass leisure, photo opportunities, and more," he said.