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Primary sourceArtifact1403-1424

Sutra Cover with Three Flaming Jewels and Buddhist Symbols

1403-1424

A carved red lacquer cover for a Buddhist sutra, made during the Yongle period, likely for an imperial Buddhist canon commissioned by his court.

Likely made for an imperial Buddhist canon, this cover reflects the craftsmanship fostered by his court workshops.

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A long, rectangular red lacquer sutra cover with incised gold decoration. A central medallion shows three flaming jewels above a lotus base, flanked by four circular medallions with Buddhist symbols on lotus pedestals, all surrounded by scrolling cloud motifs and a border of gold ornament.
Sutra cover with Three Flaming Jewels and Buddhist symbols, Ming dynasty, Yongle period, 1403-1424. LACMA.

About this source

What it is

This is a sutra cover made of red lacquer over a wood core, decorated with incised and gold-filled designs. It dates to the Yongle period of the Ming dynasty and was likely made to protect a volume from an imperial Buddhist canon. It is now held by LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art).

Why it matters

The cover shows a central design of three flaming jewels above a lotus, surrounded by four Buddhist symbols, all set in scrolling clouds. Objects like this reveal how the Yongle Emperor's court workshops produced fine religious items, showing his support of Buddhism and the high level of craftsmanship available to the imperial court.

Look closer

  • What do the symbols carved on the cover tell you about the religious beliefs of the people who used it?
  • Why might an emperor want religious texts made with such expensive materials and craftsmanship?
  • What does this object NOT tell us about who actually read or used the sutra inside?

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Yongle Emperor on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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