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Mogao Cave 249: Dragon Carriage
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Mogao Cave 249: Dragon Carriage
CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Western Wei dynasty (535–556)
Located on the north slope of the ceiling, this illustration has suffered severe damage. The only remaining images display four dragons pulling a carriage. These are the oldest extant dragon carriage images painted within the caves of Dunhuang. In front of the dragon carriage stand deities of Chinese mythology, including Wuhu, Yuren, Fangshi, Yuqiang, Feilian and Kaiming. They fly through the clouds demonstrating their magical powers. Beneath the dragon carriage is a forest full of wild animals, and images of hunters with bows and arrows following a herd of antelope on horseback. |
