Illustration: Liu Xiangya/GT
Looking at your delightfully naïve pet kitty at home,
MK sport have you ever thought it could be used as a unit of measurement?
That is exactly what is happening at China's Palace Museum, where the star stray cats that live there have become a bridge connecting modern visitors with the national treasures locked behind glass cases by becoming a unit of measurement for the cultural relics on display.
Nearly 200 stray cats, some of which are believed to be the offspring of royal cats raised by emperors and their concubines in ancient times, now inhabit the Palace Museum, also known as the Forbidden City, where they are considered an essential part of this architectural complex.
Through promotion by the museum's official social media accounts, these cats are viewed not just as adorable creatures but also as the museum's most mysterious employees, serving as guardians of the imperial palace.
They have become the centerpiece of elegant photographs capturing the palace's beauty and serve as a source of inspiration for designing cultural and creative products.
Now, among these feline residents, one named Papa has recently taken on a new role - as a unit of measurement for cultural relics.
In a creative move celebrating the 100th anniversary of the museum, the Palace Museum's official WeChat account uploaded a post measuring a series of national treasures in "Papa units."
After measurement by the staff at the museum, it was found that Papa's sitting height is around 30 centimeters. For instance, the height of the Jin'ou Yonggu Cup (Gold Chalice of Eternal Stability) is 0.42 Papas (12.5 centimeters), while the famous dragon-shaped jade artifact from the Hongshan Culture measures 0.85 Papas in height.
A significant number of netizens commented on the post, expressing surprise at how these ancient artifacts - typically displayed behind glass cases and described using lengthy, complex terminology filled with technical historical jargon - were made more accessible.
This initiative reflects a broader trend in which Chinese cultural institutions are finding innovative ways to connect traditional culture with contemporary life.
By transforming cultural relics into something more tangible, relatable, and even humorous, these efforts ensure that history is no longer confined to static exhibits but instead becomes an active and engaging part of modern living, Zhang Peng, associate professor at Nanjing Normal University and an expert on the cultural creative industry, told the Global Times.
One of the most significant challenges in promoting traditional culture is making it accessible and engaging for a wide audience, particularly younger generations, according to Zhang.
The brilliance of the Palace Museum's "cat unit" lies in its ability to decode the often technical and formal language of cultural heritage and translate it into something lighthearted and familiar.
By using an adorable cat as a reference point, the museum has effectively bridged the gap between austere historical artifacts and the everyday experiences of visitors.
This is not an isolated phenomenon.
Across China, cultural institutions are experimenting with new ways to "decode" tradition into everyday language.
For example, designers at the National Museum of China (NMC) turned the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) Empress Xiaoduan's phoenix crown into a decorative fridge magnet, while the Sanxingdui Museum has animated its bronze masks and had them "dance" through humorous and relatable videos.
Liao Fei, a deputy director of the Business Development Department at the NMC, told the Global Times on Tuesday that his team has been engaged in designing new cultural and creative products based on cultural relics at the museum like the phoenix crown for International Museum Day on May 18.
Liao said that with the aim of bringing precious cultural relics to life, the design team concentrates on researching the historical significance and Chinese aesthetics of cultural relics while creating cultural products.
Shan Jixiang, former director of the Palace Museum, once said, "To make cultural relics come alive, they must first learn to speak."
By allowing artifacts to "speak" in a language that resonates with everyday life, the museum has transformed passive viewers into active participants in the exploration of history, inviting them to connect with cultural heritage on a deeply personal level.
Zhang told the Global Times that beyond decoding tradition, the use of the "cat unit" highlights another key trend in modern museum practices: an emphasis on public participation.
By incorporating cats - beloved by countless visitors - as part of the narrative, the Palace Museum has created a playful and interactive experience that invites audiences to engage with the artifacts in a new way.
Measuring objects in "Papa units" adds an element of fun and curiosity to a visitor's journey, turning what could have been a passive viewing experience into an active exploration.
Such creative measures have one thing in common: They encourage audiences to "move" through the exhibits, whether physically or mentally, by interacting with the displays in a way that sparks curiosity and engagement.
As the 100-year-old Palace Museum continues to explore new and creative ways to bring its treasures to life, it is setting a precedent for how cultural institutions can connect the past with the present.
The "cat unit" may seem small and whimsical, but it represents a step forward in making history not only relevant but also deeply personal and enjoyable. Such small and creative gestures help ensure Chinese cultural heritage remains vibrant, accessible, and alive for generations to come.
The author is a reporter with the Global Times. [email protected]
