Ancient figurine of hand-in-hand women draws hanfu-clad duos

A painted pottery figurine of a pair of women standing hand-in-hand on display at the Luoyang Museum in Henan Province has recently gone viral, drawing waves of young women dressed in traditional hanfu to snap photos with the duo.

Standing just 17 centimeters tall, the figurine from the Northern Wei Dynasty features vivid expressions and a close, affectionate pose. Visitors often mimic the stance of the pair – holding hands with one arm akimbo – creating a heartfelt moment that bridges past and present.

The craze has spread beyond the museum walls. Nearby shops now offer "figurine-inspired" hairstyles and makeup. Online, young creatives are bringing the duo to life through fan art and short videos. Two students even created a dance piece inspired by the figurine.

This cross-temporal wave of "hand-holding" reflects the fresh way that young people are engaging with museums – seeking not just knowledge, but also connection, emotion, and creative inspiration.