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| Qianling,
the joint tomb of Gao Zong, the third emperor
of the Tang dynasty and his Empress Consort Wu
Zetian the only Empress in Chinese history. |
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| There
are 17 attendant tombs of princes, kings and high
ministers in the southeast of mausoleum area.
Five of them have been excavated. Plentiful of
historical relics were unearth. Inside the tombs,
there are rich and varied murals. These occupied
over 1200 square meters murals painting show you
the daily life in the emperor's palace. The walls
of the tomb passage the chambers and the ceilings
almost all are covered with these murals. Just
like galleries underground. |
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| The
murals on the walls of the tomb passage of the
Princess Yongtai mainly depict elegantly dressed
ladies in waiting. With different articles in
their hands, they carry themselves with grace
and wear different expressions from one another.
Some seem to be speaking in whispers, some nodding
approvingly and some looking around. They look
as if they are on the way to serving their mistress.
On the ceiling of the burial chamber are painted
firmament and celestial bodies. In the east is
the rooster with three legs, symbolizing the sun.
In the west is the Jade hare representing the
moon. In between runs the Milky Way dotted with
the stars, each of which has its set position
in the celestial body. This abundantly reflects
the highly developed astronomy at that time. They
are the masterpieces of painting of the Tang dynasty. |
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| On
the western wall of the tomb passage of
prince Zhang Huai over 20 figures on horse
back are depicted in the painting of polo
playing. With mallets in their hands, the
five at the head are trying to catch the
ball. One of them hit the ball dexterously
with his back turned. His posture is strong
and vigorous. This mural painting conjures
up the exciting and thrilling spectacle
of the players trying to catch the ball
at a polo match in the Tang dynasty. |
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| The
painting of Courtiers and Foreign Envoys
on the eastern wall in the middle of the
tomb passage of prince Zhang Huai vividly
reproduces the scene of Tang officials greeting
foreign envoys. In the front are two enthusiastic
Tang officials; behind them are three foreign
envoys. This mural painting reflects the
active exchanges of friendly and diplomatic
visits between China and foreign counties
in the Tang dynasty. |
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| Watching
Birds Catching Cicada on the western wall
of the antechamber of Prince Zhang Huai
depicts the life of the maids in the imperial
palace. There are three maids in painting.
The older one seems to have had her fill
of suffering in life in the palace. She
looks as if she was thinking of something.
She gazes at the sky and complains of its
infinitude. The other two are trying to
get rid of their worries by watching birds
catching cicada. |
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| These
mural paintings are life-like in character
and skillfully drawn. The figures are well
proportioned and harmonious. They demonstrate
the superb artistic level of the Tang dynasty. |
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