The Hou Mu Wu ding in Art Beyond the West. For many researchers of the non-western art, the Shang era aesthetics is of great interest. As stated, the Hou Mu Wu ding is decorated with images of animals and mythical creatures. Furthermore, the decoration includes symmetry stressed and "thunder" pattern. Underlined and exaggerated symmetry is the most prominent forms of ornaments, known in the art Shang taotie as masks. The exact value and meaning taotie mask motive is unknown. Perhaps, a taotie motive is rooted in the protection of by malicious forces.(O'Riley, 2006) The thunder Template is also a common motif for Shang artifacts. It consists of the repeating squares spirals. Each helix slightly different from all
