Metamorphic Imagery in Ancient Chinese Art and Religion

Metamorphic Imagery in Ancient Chinese Art and Religion PDF Author: Elizabeth Childs-Johnson
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000873129
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 291

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Book Description
Metamorphic Imagery in Ancient Chinese Art and Religion demonstrates that the concept of metamorphism was central to ancient Chinese religious belief and practices from at least the late Neolithic period through the Warring States Period of the Zhou dynasty. Central to the authors' argument is the ubiquitous motif in early Chinese figurative art, the metamorphic power mask. While the motif underwent stylistic variation over time, its formal properties remained stable, underscoring the image’s ongoing religious centrality. It symbolized the metamorphosis, through the phenomenon of death, of royal personages from living humans to deceased ancestors who required worship and sacrificial offerings. Treated with deference and respect, the royal ancestors lent support to their living descendants, ratifying and upholding their rule; neglected, they became dangerous, even malevolent. Employing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates archaeologically recovered objects with literary evidence from oracle bone and bronze inscriptions to canonical texts, all situated in the appropriate historical context, the study presents detailed analyses of form and style, and of change over time, observing the importance of relationality and the dynamic between imagery, materials, and affects. This book is a significant publication in the field of early China studies, presenting an integrated conception of ancient art and religion that surpasses any other work now available.

Metamorphic Imagery in Ancient Chinese Art and Religion

Metamorphic Imagery in Ancient Chinese Art and Religion PDF Author: Elizabeth Childs-Johnson
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
ISBN: 1000873129
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 291

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Book Description
Metamorphic Imagery in Ancient Chinese Art and Religion demonstrates that the concept of metamorphism was central to ancient Chinese religious belief and practices from at least the late Neolithic period through the Warring States Period of the Zhou dynasty. Central to the authors' argument is the ubiquitous motif in early Chinese figurative art, the metamorphic power mask. While the motif underwent stylistic variation over time, its formal properties remained stable, underscoring the image’s ongoing religious centrality. It symbolized the metamorphosis, through the phenomenon of death, of royal personages from living humans to deceased ancestors who required worship and sacrificial offerings. Treated with deference and respect, the royal ancestors lent support to their living descendants, ratifying and upholding their rule; neglected, they became dangerous, even malevolent. Employing a multidisciplinary approach that integrates archaeologically recovered objects with literary evidence from oracle bone and bronze inscriptions to canonical texts, all situated in the appropriate historical context, the study presents detailed analyses of form and style, and of change over time, observing the importance of relationality and the dynamic between imagery, materials, and affects. This book is a significant publication in the field of early China studies, presenting an integrated conception of ancient art and religion that surpasses any other work now available.

The Oxford Handbook of Early China

The Oxford Handbook of Early China PDF Author: Elizabeth Childs-Johnson
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN: 0199328374
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 768

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Book Description
The Oxford Handbook on Early China brings 30 scholars together to cover early China from the Neolithic through Warring States periods (ca 5000-500BCE). The study is chronological and incorporates a multidisciplinary approach, covering topics from archaeology, anthropology, art history, architecture, music, and metallurgy, to literature, religion, paleography, cosmology, religion, prehistory, and history.

Ancient China

Ancient China PDF Author: Dale Anderson
Publisher: In the Hands of a Child
ISBN:
Category : Art, Chinese
Languages : en
Pages : 64

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Book Description
Uses art and artifacts to examine the world of ancient China from its political and religious structure to its cultural characteristics.

Symbolism in Ancient Chinese Art

Symbolism in Ancient Chinese Art PDF Author: Hugo Munsterberg
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Art, Chinese
Languages : en
Pages : 272

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Book Description


Chinese Religious Art

Chinese Religious Art PDF Author: Patricia Eichenbaum Karetzky
Publisher: Lexington Books
ISBN: 0739180606
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 395

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Book Description
Chinese Religious Art is a broad survey of the origins and development of the various forms of artistic expression of Chinese religions. The study begins with an overview of ancient archaeology in order to identify nascent religious ideologies in various Neolithic Cultures and early Chinese historical eras including the Shang dynasty (1300-1050 BCE) and Zhou Dynasty(1000-221 BCE) up until the era of the First Emperor (221-210 BCE) Part Two treats Confucianism as a religious tradition examining its scriptures, images, temples and rituals. Adopted as the state ideology in the Han dynasty, Confucian ideas permeated society for over two thousand years. Filial piety, ethical behavior and other principles shaped the pictorial arts. Part Three considers the various schools of Daoist belief and their expression in art. The ideas of a utopian society and the pursuit of immortality characterize this religion from its earliest phase. Daoism has an elaborate pantheon and ritualistic art, as well as a secular tradition best expressed in monochrome ink painting. Part Four covers the development of Buddhist art beginning with its entry into China in the second century. Its monuments—comprised largely of cave temples carved high in the mountains along the frontiers of China and large metropolitan temples —provide evidence of its evolution including the adoption of savior cults of the Buddha of the Western Paradise, the Buddha of the Future, the rise of Ch’an (Zen) and esoteric Buddhism. In their development, these various religious traditions interacted, sharing art, architecture, iconography and rituals. By the twelfth century a stage of syncretism merged all three traditions into a popular religion. All the religions are reviving after their extirpation during the Cultural Revolution. Using historical records and artistic evidence, much of which has not been published, this study examines their individual and shared manner of worshipping the divine forces.

Ancient Chinese Art: Murals of the Tang Dynasty (618-709 Ad)

Ancient Chinese Art: Murals of the Tang Dynasty (618-709 Ad) PDF Author: Chang Yang
Publisher:
ISBN: 9781612650098
Category : Antiques & Collectibles
Languages : en
Pages : 268

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Book Description
A Great Collection of Breathtaking Images That Have Never Been Published Before! The publication of Ancient Chinese Art: Murals of the Tang Dynasty (618-709 AD) is a major event in the world of ancient art. It fills in the blanks in this field. Murals have been found in different countries and nations since the beginning of human civilization, a period of nearly ten thousand years. Many beautiful murals dating from the ancient times in Egypt, Rome, Russia, and Babylon are still preserved today. Their unique artistic charm still influences us. China is also known for her ancient murals, of which the famous Dunhuang Murals of the Tang Dynasty are representative. They reflect the politics, economy, culture, and religion of the glorious period of the Tang Dynasty. This album of murals of the Tang Dynasty is a collection of photographs of more than 200 representative murals of the Tang Dynasty preserved by Yang family. They show flying Apsaras, heavenly music goddess, Buddha images, Bodhisattva, Arhat, Buddha's warrior attendant, Buddhist sponsor worshipers of the court and nobility of the Tang Dynasty, Tang imperial family members and nobles hunting, and Tang imperial family members and nobles worshiping Buddha. These murals depict every aspect of the life of the court and nobility of the Tang Dynasty, covering politics, economy, culture, religion, and music of that period in Chinese history. The murals vividly show the expressions of the people, their headdresses, costumes, hand ornaments, their bodies, gestures, and animals. We believe the reader will be amazed by the art of these murals. About the Author: Chang Yang is the vice president of the Western Returned Scholars Association Entrepreneur Alliance, a guest professor of the State University of Minnesota of the United States, and a hereditary collector of ancient Chinese cultural relics. Chang Yang is the curator of Chang Yang Jade Buddha Palace Museum, which was established in Baodi District of Tianjin City of China, supported by Li Ruihuan, former chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference, and many other Chinese leaders and entrepreneurs.

Ancient China

Ancient China PDF Author: Edward L. Shaughnessy
Publisher: Duncan Baird Publishers
ISBN:
Category : History
Languages : en
Pages : 148

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Book Description
Looks at the daily life, beliefs, and artistic achievements of ancient China.

Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs Fourth Revised Edition

Chinese Symbolism and Art Motifs Fourth Revised Edition PDF Author: Charles Alfred Speed Williams
Publisher: Tuttle Publishing
ISBN: 1462903142
Category : Art
Languages : en
Pages : 448

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Book Description
Written with reader accessibility in mind, this comprehensive handbook of symbolism in Chinese art and culture will be an invaluable resource for any student of Eastern art history, Chinese arts and crafts, and anyone interested in commonly held Chinese beliefs and their origins. In Chinese Symbolism & Art Motifs Fourth Edition, scholar C.A.S. Williams offers concise explanations of the essential symbols and motifs relevant to Chinese literature, arts & crafts, and architecture. This reference book has been a standard among students of Chinese culture and history since 1941 and, in its Fourth Edition, has been completely reset with Pinyin pronunciation of Chinese names and words. Organized alphabetically, enhanced by over 400 illustrations, and clearly written for accessibility across a variety of fields, this book not only explains symbols and motifs essential to any designer, art collector, or historian, but delves into ancient customs in religion, food, agriculture, and medicine. Some of the symbols and motifs explicated are: The Eight Immortals The Five Elements The Dragon The Phoenix Yin and Yang With Chinese Symbolism & Art Motifs, you can access hidden insights into the intentions behind works of Chinese craftsmanship, and the thorough explanations of each symbol accompanied by the historical origins from which they arose. It will complement your existing knowledge of any area of Chinese culture, or help you confidently explore new topics within the realm of Asian art and history.

Gods & Goddesses of Ancient China

Gods & Goddesses of Ancient China PDF Author: Trenton Campbell
Publisher: Encyclopaedia Britannica
ISBN: 1622753941
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 160

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Book Description
This authoritative volume examines the two main faiths, Confucianism and Daoism, that developed before China had meaningful contact with the rest of the world. Aspects of Buddhism later joined features of these faiths to form elements of Chinese ideology and, with the beliefs in immortals and the worship of ancestors, they led to a popular religion. The narrative describes the gods and goddesses that dominated China's mythology and folk culture, roughly from the 3rd millennium to 221 BCE, including the Baxian (Eight Immortals), Chang'e (moon goddess), Guandi (god of war), the Men Shen (door spirits), and Pan Gu (first man).

The Metamorphic Image

The Metamorphic Image PDF Author: Elizabeth Childs-Johnson
Publisher:
ISBN:
Category : Animals in art
Languages : en
Pages : 172

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Book Description