Lotus Caisson Bookmark

Patterns of Lotus Feitian

Ceiling of Mogao Cave 329
Early 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 the well, and the hanging curtain. Because of the exquisite and unique patterns of these caisson wells, they have become one of the important contents of Dunhuang Grottoes art.

In the ceiling center is a pattern of a large medallion composed of lotuses in the center, looking like a five-colored Dharma wheel, and it is surrounded by circles of various motifs such as the clouds, honeysuckles, flowers, triangles, and draperies.The four slopes each depict three Feitian flying around the center in a same direction.