Characteristics

The most complicated Xixia characters have 48 strokes each.

Because of its complexity, the Xixia characters are called "words from heaven" by historians.

It became a dead language with the down fall of the kingdom, but has already been cracked by today's archaeologists.

With the popularity of their own characters, the Xixia people developed a literary tradition of translated Buddhist texts and original secular works.

"The Tanguts kept a tradition of embracing Buddhism," said Li.

Except sutras, the tradition can also be proved by a unique kind of glazed pottery architecture ornaments, which are in the shape of "sweet-voiced bird" (miaoyin niao).

Called Kalaviuka in Sanskrit, "miaoyin niao" is a legendary half-man, half-bird figure worshiped in Buddhism. "Visitors will be impressed with these precious relics of Xixia. They present part of the fabulous historic and multi-ethnic cultural heritage of China," Li said.

Editor: Jessie