Pei Pendant with Falcon-snatching-human-head Design, Shijiahe Culture (2500–2000 BC). Jade. Length 10.2 cm, Width 4.9 cm, Thickness 0.6 cm. © Shanghai Museum 

Some scholars believe that the design of a falcon catching a human head represents the practice of offering the head of a killed adversary to gods. Others think that the falcon is the incarnation of the God of Dongyi People, and the human head instead symbolizes the valour from their ancestry.