"The celestial pole rests at the center of the universe, governing the motion of all stars." At the 2026 Conference on Hongshan Culture, Li Xinwei, deputy director and research fellow at the Institute of History at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, and director of the Institute for Classical Civilizations of China, shared his insights on the polar cosmology of Hongshan culture and its relationship with social order. He stated that Hongshan culture used this polar cosmology to set social order, develop early religion, and unite vast populations. The triple-circle altar at Niuheliang likely corresponds to the sun's trajectory during the winter solstice, summer solstice, and equinoxes, serving as a physical embodiment of cosmic order. The initial link displayed by Hongshan culture between polar cosmology and earthly governance serves as a primary origin of China's unique views on the universe and the world, highlighting the crucial role of Hongshan culture in shaping Chinese civilization.
