Two large raised circles or round “eyes” that stand out from the surface near the widest part of the vessel are the first forms to assert themselves on the surface of the hu.

These “eyes” seem to be that of a horned beast with large, staring eyes and seemingly no jaw, the mythical taotie, as it eventually came to be called. Its mask fills the broad band at the widest part of the vessel, and a similar, though more elongated, mask appears in the band above it. Other animals can be made out in the other bands but seem to be depicted in profile rather than straight on.