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Kizil Cave 198: Twelve Zodiac Signs
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Kizil Cave 198: Twelve Zodiac Signs
CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu; circa 6th–7th century; 1.29 x 1.69 m; State Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia
This partially damaged mural is located on the barrel-vaulted ceiling. A horoscope with the Twelve Zodiac Signs is painted in the upper portion. Scenes of zodiac animals are separated by decorative borders in the lower portion. These scenes illustrate the Prophecy of Dipamkara Buddha, which describes Sakyamuni as a Bodhisattva who vowed to attain enlightenment in a past life. Dipamkara Buddha then prophesized that he would become a Buddha named Sakyamuni. Each painting consists of a standing Buddha with smaller figures adjacent to him. The clothing of the figures have folds painted in a simple manner. |
