Tianma, as the graphic symbol of China's tourism, has symbolic meaning. What is its significance?

The galloping horse that is my country's tourism symbol was originally my country's famous Eastern Han cultural relic - "Horse Treading on Flying Swallows".

"Horse Treading on Flying Swallows" is a bronze horse handicraft unearthed from the Eastern Han Dynasty tomb in Leitai, Wuwei, Gansu Province. It has a short head, a long neck, a round body, a thick torso, slender limbs, a curved tail raised, and an open mouth to neigh. Under its right hind hoof, which is flying in the air, there is a flying swallow, hence the name "Horse Stepping on a Flying Swallow". His expression is just like what Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty wrote in "Song of the Heavenly Horses of the West": "The horses come from the West and travel thousands of miles to return to Youde; carrying the power of the spirit, they descend to foreign countries, wading in the quicksand and surrendering to all the barbarians." People have seen this. Ma Lingyun felt like he was running fast. The lofty country of China, with its rich people and strong people, is really full of spirit and majestic momentum. It is worthy of the reputation of "one horse through the ages"!

"Horse Treading on Flying Swallows", not only its radiant expression, but also the superb casting technology, what is even more impressive is the exquisite creative concept. As we all know, it is not too difficult to create the image of a good and healthy horse. However, it is difficult to express the movement of a still life, especially the speed of a good horse that travels thousands of miles a day. So easy. However, our unknown artists are able to use their own ingenuity, boldly and exaggeratedly invent clever ideas, and let the horse's right hind hoof step on a swallow flying in the sky. In this way, using the swallow to line the horse makes the speed of the flying swallow and the galloping horse visible, solidifying the momentum of the galloping horse in a static space, and making a static bronze horse spiritual and alive. It’s perfect! It’s perfect!

Another sublime aspect of Feiyan’s conception is that the bronze horse is flying in the air with three hooves. As a decorative handicraft, how should the fulcrum of its single hoof be stable? With this flying swallow, the problem is solved. This is not only consistent with the principles of mechanics, but also perfectly solves the lightness of the galloping horse and the stability of the object.

After admiring this ancient piece of art, how can one not be in awe of the exquisite art of ancient Chinese artists?