The Spirit of the Warrior guards the pathway to the food court at Oakridge Shopping Center. The contrast of a brilliant orange and turquoise over black was striking. It took some time to find The Spirit of the Warrior because I was looking outside, rather than inside, the complex.
Qin Shi Huangdi’s terracotta soldiers possessed individually unique features, carried authentic weapons and were colourfully attired. The Han-era historian, Sima Qian, wrote that a general, Xiang Yu, plundered the complex during the period of instability following the death of Qin Shi Huangdi. Xiang Yu set off a fire that burned down the wooden structure that housed the warriors. The army prevailed, although their weapons were stolen and they lost their original colour.
The Spirit of the Warrior reminded me of Sun Tzu’s, The Art of War. Written around the sixth century BC, The Art of War is one of the oldest books about war and military strategy. Many believe it to be the best ever written.
“Skilful military leaders conquer the enemy without fighting battles, capture cities without attacking them and overcome states without protracted warfare.”
Sun Tzu, The Art of War, 61, 33
Map Position: # 20 – Oakridge
The Spirit of the Warrior
Artists: Hilda Ho
ChasingART 
Love your concept Chasing Art. Finding beauty everyday, somewhere or everywhere is what makes life worthwhile. Wouldn’t you say. Love your journey to find all of the terracotta warriors! Fun! It is like an art treasure map. What exciting history will you find?
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A kindred spirit!! I was out today chasing down my warriors. It really is a treasure hunt!!!
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I have only heard about “The Art of War”. Never read it–too bad!
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I have read “The Art of War” about 5 times this past couple of years. I should have read it 25 years ago. Actually, the thoughts come from an oral tradition so it is even better to listen via audio book. And my takeaway was that Sun Tzu was more interested in peaceful outcomes. Sun Tzu said:”In the practical art of war, the best thing of all is to take the enemy’s country whole and intact; to shatter and destroy it is not so good.”
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WOW!!!
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WOW! He looks almost alive. What a great artist, the painting so skillfully done.
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I agree – and there is more to come!!!
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