The projecting structures of a vessel such as loops and lugs can be understood as its ‘ears’. Located near the rim or on the sides of a vessel, they make it easier to hold and transport the vessel, serving both practical functions and decorative purposes. The shape, size and number of a vessel’s ears vary. In addition to vertical and horizontal loops, some ear designs take the form of legendary creatures, such as dragons and phoenixes. In the past, people used to carry objects by tying strings through the loops on a vessel.