Ever wondered how people stayed cool in the scorching summers before air conditioning? ☀️ Let’s travel back to the Tang Dynasty in ancient China, about 1,100 to 1,400 years ago, to discover a fascinating and elegant solution! 🕰️
Back then, people used something called a censer. What’s a censer, you ask? It’s a special container used to burn incense, which is like a fragrant material that releases a pleasant smell when heated. 🌸
This particular censer was made of gilded silver and had two hemispheres (like two half-spheres) joined by a hidden gimbal structure. The gimbal is a clever invention that keeps the incense inside level, no matter how you move! Imagine spinning around, and yet your ice cream doesn’t fall off the cone – that’s the magic of a gimbal! 🍦✨
The censer’s design featured beautiful birds and flowers carved into it, known as openwork. This means the patterns were cut out so the scent of the incense could slowly drift out, filling the air with a lovely fragrance. 🕊️🌺
People would wear these scented censers or carry them around to refresh their minds and keep the summer humidity at bay. It was both functional and super stylish! Fashion and practicality all in one – talk about cool! 😎
Isn’t it amazing how ancient people came up with such ingenious ways to beat the heat? Next time you’re feeling hot, remember the magical scented censer and how a bit of creativity can go a long way! 🚀
Reference(s):
Ancient Chinese ways to stay cool: Gilded silver censer with openwork
cgtn.com
