Yoke rattles in the form of a bird

These bronze rattles once crowned the ends of chariot yokes, playing both practical and symbolic roles within Shang chariot culture. Attached to vehicles drawn by horses, they animated movement through sound as the chariot advanced, heightening the presence and authority of its occupants. One example contains a pellet that produced a rhythmic rattle in motion, enhancing the sensory impact of ceremonial travel. Such fittings emphasize the importance of the horse and chariot as instruments of elite display, ritual performance, and controlled mobility. Integrated into the chariot’s structure, these rattles underscored how sound, movement, and horse power worked together to project status and command.