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Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Mogao Cave 112Mid Tang Dynasty The Amitayurdhyana Sutra had been one of the most popular themes. Normally, a mural based on this sutra would center on the depiction of the Pure Land under the leadership of Amitayus, the...

Patterns of Lotus Feitian Ceiling of Mogao Cave 329Early Tang Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the outside decoration of...

Feitian: Apsaras Flying In Front Of Tree West Wall of Mogao Cave 321Early Tang Dynasty One compelling, and often seemingly otherworldly, being that is depicted in the Buddhist murals throughout the 800 years is the Feitian (in Chinese), or "sky spirit". In Dunhuang art,...

Guardian Dragon North Wall of Yulin Cave 25Tang Dynasty The guardian dragon sits atop colorful clouds, symbolizing protection and blessings.The Chinese dragon, is a legendary creature in Chinese mythology, Chinese folklore, and Chinese culture at large. Chinese dragons have many animal-like forms such as turtles...

Patterns of Twin Dragons Lotus Ceiling of Mogao Cave 392Sui Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the outside decoration of the...

Patterns of Grape Lotus Ceiling of Mogao Cave 387Early Tang Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the outside decoration of...

Amitayurdhyana Sutra Illustration South Wall of Yulin Cave 25High Tang Dynasty Amitayurdhyana Sutra, one of the principal sutras in Pure Land Buddhism, which was a major theme for Mogao caves from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.).

Patterns of Grape Pomegranate Ceiling of Mogao Cave 209Early Tang Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the outside decoration of...

Patterns of Three Hares with Conjoined Ears Ceiling of Mogao Cave 205Early/High Tang Dynasty The caisson is a square decoration in the center of the top of the bucket-shaped cave in Dunhuang Grottoes. It is generally composed of three parts: the well center, the...

Donor portrait of Lady Wang from Taiyuan in worship South wall of Mogao Cave 130High Tang Dynasty This donor's portrait is labelled as "Lady Wang, wife of a commander, from Taiyuan". Lady Wang was the wife of Le Tinggui, Commander of Jinchang prefecture (in...