New findings from the Liangzhu Culture sites in eastern China have introduced a collection of 'jade-incrusting' bird effigies that appear to be the earliest evidence of a 'Spirit-Flight' festival. These small, meticulously carved birds were found arranged in a circular formation atop a massive earthwork mound. Scholars suggest that the Liangzhu people held seasonal gatherings to celebrate the migration of cranes, which they viewed as messengers to the ancestral realm.
The complexity of the jade work—which includes microscopic engravings of feathers—indicates that these festivals were supported by a highly organized class of artisans and priests. By mimicking the flight of birds through dance and the display of these effigies, the ancient community sought to ensure communal harmony and successful harvests. This research pushes back the origins of structured aerial-themed rituals in the region by nearly a millennium.