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Monster Squatting
- Title Translation: č¹²é¬¼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, monster
- Title Translation: ååå å±±äøę“ , 鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, North Cave, monster
- Title Translation: ååå å±±åę“ , 鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The North Cave, also known as the Great Buddha Cave, is the largest and earliest of the Xiangtangshan caves. It has a masterful design that encompasses concepts of time and space in a Buddhist cosmology, and it can be associated with the founding of the Northern Qi dynasty. The facade is damaged from natural erosion and a severe earthquake in the sixteenth century. The entrance has been reconstructed of blocks of stone. There are traces of what appears to have been a domed roof at the top, above the three windows that provide light to the cave interior. Inside the cave there is a massive four-sided central pillar, into which the three principal Buddha images of colossal size, representing the Buddhas of the Three AgesāPast, Present, and Futureāare carved. Each of the seated Buddhas is flanked by two standing bodhisattvas. Around the walls and at the top of the central pillar are smaller Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other divinities, including earth spirits, heavenly apsarases, and also demons vividly rendered in high relief. Deities and nature spirits from countless realms and ages of the cosmos are thus seen to be brought together by the power of the Dharma or Buddhist wisdom. The carving is masterful with figural sculptures, flaming haloes, and domed stupa-shaped niches surrounded by lotus blossoms, glowing jewels, and ornamental patterns, all worked and finished with great skill. There are small caves on either side of the North Cave courtyard. The one on the south side also appears to be of Northern Qi origin. The main images are now damaged or removed, and additional carvings were added to the east wall in the Song. The central Buddha figure, now headless is seated on a square Sumeru throne with a lotus flower base. Behind him, there is a large flaming aureole carved in relief. He was accompanied by six attendant figures, two of which were free-standing and are now missing. Traces of the other four figures still remain.
Monster Squatting, 3D model
- Title Translation: č¹²é¬¼ē„ , 3DęØ”å
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Squatting Caryatid
- Title Translation: 鬼ē„č¹²å„³åę±
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Kneeling
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Kneeling
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: Figure of a demon, intended to serve as a support for an engaged column. Body with wings, large horns, three fingers, and two toes; with shoulders hunched and arms braced on thighs.
Monster Squatting Human
- Title Translation: 鬼ē„č¹²äŗŗ
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, monster
- Title Translation: ååå å±±äøę“ , 鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, North Cave, monster
- Title Translation: ååå å±±åę“ , 鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The North Cave, also known as the Great Buddha Cave, is the largest and earliest of the Xiangtangshan caves. It has a masterful design that encompasses conceptTopics of time and space in a Buddhist cosmology, and it can be associated with the founding of the Northern Qi dynasty. The facade is damaged from natural erosion and a severe earthquake in the sixteenth century. The entrance has been reconstructed of blocks of stone. There are traces of what appears to have been a domed roof at the top, above the three windows that provide light to the cave interior. Inside the cave there is a massive four-sided central pillar, into which the three principal Buddha images of colossal size, representing the Buddhas of the Three AgesāPast, Present, and Futureāare carved. Each of the seated Buddhas is flanked by two standing bodhisattvas. Around the walls and at the top of the central pillar are smaller Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other divinities, including earth spirits, heavenly apsarases, and also demons vividly rendered in high relief. Deities and nature spirits from countless realms and ages of the cosmos are thus seen to be brought together by the power of the Dharma or Buddhist wisdom. The carving is masterful with figural sculptures, flaming haloes, and domed stupa-shaped niches surrounded by lotus blossoms, glowing jewels, and ornamental patterns, all worked and finished with great skill. There are small caves on either side of the North Cave courtyard. The one on the south side also appears to be of Northern Qi origin. The main images are now damaged or removed, and additional carvings were added to the east wall in the Song. The central Buddha figure, now headless is seated on a square Sumeru throne with a lotus flower base. Behind him, there is a large flaming aureole carved in relief. He was accompanied by six attendant figures, two of which were free-standing and are now missing. Traces of the other four figures still remain.
Monster Squatting Caryatid, 3D model
- Title Translation: 鬼ē„č¹²å„³åę± , 3DęØ”å
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Kneeling, 3D model
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„ , 3DęØ”å
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Head
- Title Translation: 鬼ē„夓
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: This leonine head of a beast originates from a group of Buddhist cave temples in northern China known collectively as Xiangtangshan, or the āMountain of Echoing Halls.ā Commissioned in the sixth century by rulers of the Northern Qi dynasty, the Xiangtangshan Caves are believed to have been an important place of worship for the royal family. The masterfully carved images are a vivid testament to the power, religious piety, and political aspirations of these royal patrons, who believed that the construction of temples and making of Buddhist images generated spiritual merit for the state. Although demons and monsters were generally thought to be harmful, their representations in Buddhist contexts were intended to demonstrate the efficacy of Buddhaās teachings in subduing evil. This head originally belonged to a winged monster, shown crouching beneath the weight of a massive altar at the center of the cave, reminding worshippers that Buddhism had the power to tame malevolent creatures and bring them into the service of good.
Northern Xiangtangshan, North Cave, monster
- Title Translation: ååå å±±åę“ , 鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The North Cave, also known as the Great Buddha Cave, is the largest and earliest of the Xiangtangshan caves. It has a masterful design that encompasses conceptTopics of time and space in a Buddhist cosmology, and it can be associated with the founding of the Northern Qi dynasty. The facade is damaged from natural erosion and a severe earthquake in the sixteenth century. The entrance has been reconstructed of blocks of stone. There are traces of what appears to have been a domed roof at the top, above the three windows that provide light to the cave interior. Inside the cave there is a massive four-sided central pillar, into which the three principal Buddha images of colossal size, representing the Buddhas of the Three AgesāPast, Present, and Futureāare carved. Each of the seated Buddhas is flanked by two standing bodhisattvas. Around the walls and at the top of the central pillar are smaller Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other divinities, including earth spirits, heavenly apsarases, and also demons vividly rendered in high relief. Deities and nature spirits from countless realms and ages of the cosmos are thus seen to be brought together by the power of the Dharma or Buddhist wisdom. The carving is masterful with figural sculptures, flaming haloes, and domed stupa-shaped niches surrounded by lotus blossoms, glowing jewels, and ornamental patterns, all worked and finished with great skill. There are small caves on either side of the North Cave courtyard. The one on the south side also appears to be of Northern Qi origin. The main images are now damaged or removed, and additional carvings were added to the east wall in the Song. The central Buddha figure, now headless is seated on a square Sumeru throne with a lotus flower base. Behind him, there is a large flaming aureole carved in relief. He was accompanied by six attendant figures, two of which were free-standing and are now missing. Traces of the other four figures still remain.
Monster Kneeling, 3D model
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„ , 3DęØ”å
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Kneeling
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Kneeling
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Northern Xiangtangshan, Middle Cave, monster
- Title Translation: ååå å±±äøę“ , 鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, Ming, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The Middle Cave, the second largest of the caves in scale, still has its impressive entrance and large stone porch largely preserved. In recent times, a wooden porch-like structure was added to the front of the cave. Above the eaves of the porch and carved into the stone mountainside, there is a domed roof with a fenced harmika or platform at the top. The single-story stupa with domed roof is a distinctive feature of the design of the Xiangtangshan caves and appears on the walls of the North Cave and on many smaller stone carvings of the middle and late sixth century. Tall armored guardian figures stand under the stone eaves of the porch, and large lions support the columns flanking the door. Walking into the cave, visitors pass under the gaze of two tall bodhisattvas who face the entrance. The Middle Cave, like the great North Cave, has a large central pillar. However, it has only a single large niche deeply cut into the front of the pillar to form an altar on which a Buddha sits on a lotus throne accompanied by two tall standing disciple figures and two bodhisattvas. The base of the central pillar has relief figures of Spirit Kings, lions, and incense burners, much like the North Cave. The cave walls were originally left largely plain, but devotees of the Ming dynasty (1368-1644) added a row of seated Buddhas contained in shallow niches that encircle cave's interior.
Northern Xiangtangshan, North Cave, altar base, south
- Title Translation: ååå å±±åę“ , ē„ååŗ§å
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The North Cave, also known as the Great Buddha Cave, is the largest and earliest of the Xiangtangshan caves. It has a masterful design that encompasses conceptTopics of time and space in a Buddhist cosmology, and it can be associated with the founding of the Northern Qi dynasty. The facade is damaged from natural erosion and a severe earthquake in the sixteenth century. The entrance has been reconstructed of blocks of stone. There are traces of what appears to have been a domed roof at the top, above the three windows that provide light to the cave interior. Inside the cave there is a massive four-sided central pillar, into which the three principal Buddha images of colossal size, representing the Buddhas of the Three AgesāPast, Present, and Futureāare carved. Each of the seated Buddhas is flanked by two standing bodhisattvas. Around the walls and at the top of the central pillar are smaller Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other divinities, including earth spirits, heavenly apsarases, and also demons vividly rendered in high relief. Deities and nature spirits from countless realms and ages of the cosmos are thus seen to be brought together by the power of the Dharma or Buddhist wisdom. The carving is masterful with figural sculptures, flaming haloes, and domed stupa-shaped niches surrounded by lotus blossoms, glowing jewels, and ornamental patterns, all worked and finished with great skill. There are small caves on either side of the North Cave courtyard. The one on the south side also appears to be of Northern Qi origin. The main images are now damaged or removed, and additional carvings were added to the east wall in the Song. The central Buddha figure, now headless is seated on a square Sumeru throne with a lotus flower base. Behind him, there is a large flaming aureole carved in relief. He was accompanied by six attendant figures, two of which were free-standing and are now missing. Traces of the other four figures still remain.
Northern Xiangtangshan, North Cave, monster
- Title Translation: ååå å±±åę“ , 鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: The North Cave, also known as the Great Buddha Cave, is the largest and earliest of the Xiangtangshan caves. It has a masterful design that encompasses concepts of time and space in a Buddhist cosmology, and it can be associated with the founding of the Northern Qi dynasty. The facade is damaged from natural erosion and a severe earthquake in the sixteenth century. The entrance has been reconstructed of blocks of stone. There are traces of what appears to have been a domed roof at the top, above the three windows that provide light to the cave interior. Inside the cave there is a massive four-sided central pillar, into which the three principal Buddha images of colossal size, representing the Buddhas of the Three AgesāPast, Present, and Futureāare carved. Each of the seated Buddhas is flanked by two standing bodhisattvas. Around the walls and at the top of the central pillar are smaller Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and other divinities, including earth spirits, heavenly apsarases, and also demons vividly rendered in high relief. Deities and nature spirits from countless realms and ages of the cosmos are thus seen to be brought together by the power of the Dharma or Buddhist wisdom. The carving is masterful with figural sculptures, flaming haloes, and domed stupa-shaped niches surrounded by lotus blossoms, glowing jewels, and ornamental patterns, all worked and finished with great skill. There are small caves on either side of the North Cave courtyard. The one on the south side also appears to be of Northern Qi origin. The main images are now damaged or removed, and additional carvings were added to the east wall in the Song. The central Buddha figure, now headless is seated on a square Sumeru throne with a lotus flower base. Behind him, there is a large flaming aureole carved in relief. He was accompanied by six attendant figures, two of which were free-standing and are now missing. Traces of the other four figures still remain.
Monster Head, 3D model
- Title Translation: 鬼ē„夓 , 3DęØ”å
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: This leonine head of a beast originates from a group of Buddhist cave temples in northern China known collectively as Xiangtangshan, or the āMountain of Echoing Halls.ā Commissioned in the sixth century by rulers of the Northern Qi dynasty, the Xiangtangshan Caves are believed to have been an important place of worship for the royal family. The masterfully carved images are a vivid testament to the power, religious piety, and political aspirations of these royal patrons, who believed that the construction of temples and making of Buddhist images generated spiritual merit for the state. Although demons and monsters were generally thought to be harmful, their representations in Buddhist contexts were intended to demonstrate the efficacy of Buddhaās teachings in subduing evil. This head originally belonged to a winged monster, shown crouching beneath the weight of a massive altar at the center of the cave, reminding worshippers that Buddhism had the power to tame malevolent creatures and bring them into the service of good.
Monster Kneeling, 3D model
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„ , 3DęØ”å
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
- Work Description: Figure of a demon, intended to serve as a support for an engaged column. Body with wings, large horns, three fingers, and two toes; with shoulders hunched and arms braced on thighs.
Monster Kneeling
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Kneeling
- Title Translation: č·Ŗ鬼ē„
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves
Monster Squatting Bird
- Title Translation: 鬼ē„č¹²éø
- Period: Northern Qi, 550-577 C.E.
- Project: Xiangtangshan Caves