Posted in Image

Mogao Grottoes Cave 285

   March 1, 2021  Leave a Comment on Mogao Grottoes Cave 285
According to the inscriptions of the north wall of the cave, this cave was constructed during the Datong Era and is one of the earliest caves in the Dunhuang cave group. The cave as a whole is open and has a welcoming atmosphere about it. The main chamber is square has a truncated pyramidal ceiling, with four cells on the north and south walls. There are mainly blue and green hues of paint that are used in the images, however, there are also some browns, giving an Earth tone and feeling to the cave. The north wall has three parts: the upper (having eleven figures hold musical instruments); middle (telling a story of five hundred robbers); and lower parts (with four cells for monks to practice meditation). The upper section has preaching scenes for the monks to practice their prayers. Between the cells on the lower part of the cave are stories depicting karma and sacrifice, and below that are images of warriors. The ceiling has images from Chinese myth such as traditional gods (such as the god of thunder) and protectors of Buddhist law.

Cave Number: Mogao Grottoes Cave 285

Date: Western Wei Dynasty 535-556 A.D.

Cave Form: Truncated Pyramidal Ceiling

Location: Dunhuang, China

References:

  1. https://www.e-dunhuang.com/cave/10.0001/0001.0001.0285
Author: Charlotte Becker

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *