The Liaoning Provincial Museum has recently exhibited a stone coffer bearing the spectacle of “Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King”. This cultural relic can be traced back to a thousand years ago, but the image of Ne Zha is still clearly discernible, captivating many cultural and museum enthusiasts at home and abroad to visit the museum. Dong Baohou, deputy curator of the Liaoning Provincial Museum, states: “This stone coffer was unearthed in the underground palace of Chaoyang’s North Pagoda by archaeological excavators in 1986. It is engraved with the legend of Ne Zha chasing and defeating the dragon that stirs up trouble, which is the earliest image of ‘Ne Zha Conquers the Dragon King’ found so far.”

The stone coffer was carved from green sandstone, measuring 51 cm in length, 33.5 cm in width and 41.5 cm in height. The Ne Zha on the stone coffer was adorned with a flaming crown, and clad in armor, stepping on auspicious clouds. In his left hand, he held a pagoda, while his right hand was poised in a commanding posture. The battle scene was rendered with lifelike depictions. The dragon chased by Ne Zha soared over the sea, looking back and opening its mouth wide. An arrow had already hit its hind leg, while another was flying toward its abdomen.