Chongqing, China (ots) – TheAZ rock engravings bear witness to thousands of years. From the founding of the early Tang Dynasty, through the refinement in the last five dynasties of the Tang Dynasty, to the heyday of the North Song Dynasty and the South Song Dynasty, followed by the afterglow of the Ming Dynasty and the Qing Dynasty dynasty, the artistic value of theCazu rock engravings endures forever. They are considered not only the pinnacle of grotto art from the 9th to the 13th centuries, but also “the last monument in the history of human grotto art”. In 1999, this brilliant cultural heritage was added to UNESCO’s “World Heritage List” as the last monument in the history of grotto art worldwide, becoming another Chinese World Heritage Site in the grotto category after the Mogao Grottoes of Dunhuang.
Oriental aesthetics in rock engravings
The Damit rock engravings are the general name for the stone-carved statues in the Damit District, Chongqing City, with the grottoes of Mount Beishan, Mount Baodingshan, Mount Nanshan, Mount Shimenshan and Mount Shizhuanshan being particularly spectacular. These rock engravings are large in scale, fine in engraving, rich in themes, deep in meaning, well preserved and can be regarded as an art treasure. Among them, the Thousand-Handed Kwan-yin Statue on Baodingshan Mountain is known as “the No. 1 National Treasure”, shaped like a peacock spreading its dazzling wheel; while the world’s largest bust of the reclining Buddha statue – sacred relics of Nirvana of Sakyamuni offers visitors endless space for reverie. The eye cannot easily capture all these art treasures in fascinating styles.
Faith in life, reflected in rock engravings
TheZu rock engravings have not only shown the tireless pursuit of exquisite skills of generations of Chinese craftsmen, but also demonstrated the diverse integration of ancient Chinese culture with the integration of the three religions of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. Its distinct national, secular and practical characteristics are unique in Chinese grotto art and rare in the world. It has taken grotto art to new heights with its deep secular beliefs and rich life force. In terms of theme and expression, it closely combines secular life and aesthetic taste, showing a calm and gentle beauty. Whether it was a Buddha statue, a Bodhisattva or a Rahan or a Vajra, it was like the portrait of a person in real life, full of earthly features.
TheAZ rock engravings are a millennia-long epic written in rocks. They tell of the vicissitudes of history, show the charm of art and also capture people’s longing and striving for a better life. They are not only a treasure of Chinese culture but also of world art, worthy of interpretation, contemplation and sharing by each of us.
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Bai Jie
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