Legends and historical figures

: Legends and historical figures were the theme of temple murals during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The Jiyi Temple of the Ming Dynasty is a typical example. It mainly focuses on the legends of ancient time, such as the performances of legend heroes Dayu, Houji and Boyi.

Secular life: Secular life is also an important element. Tomb murals mainly reflect the life scene of the master, such as banquet or travel. Representative works include murals in Lou Rui’s tomb. Lou Rui, one of empress’s nephew, was a high official in the Northern Dynasty. His tomb is huge. Travel Plan is the largest mural there; it describes a scene of an extravagant travel, with bound dogs, knights and camels. 

Travel Plan in Lou Rui Tomb

Mural Paintings in Yongle Palace

Yongle Palace

The Yongle Palace, located in Yongle County of Shanxi Province, was one of the three great ancestral palaces of Quanzhen Taoism in the Yuan Dynasty. The murals in Longhu Hall, Sanqing Hall, Chunyang Hall and Chongyang Hall together cover over 430m2 and are considered gems of world art. With religion as their main subject, these ancient murals are of utmost importance in Chinese painting. The Yongle Palace murals are therefore highly regarded in art history.

Sanqing Hall

Mural in Sanqing Hall

The murals in Yongle Palace are the peak in development of mural painting, preserving traditions of previous generations. They also introduced innovations in certain areas, forming their own characteristics over time. Combining a romantic style, elaborate strokes and magnificent scenes, the murals in Yongle Palace enriched Chinese mural painting and experiences in certain way, and affected the religious mural creating in the future generations.

Great Significance

Ancient murals are a valuable treasure of Chinese historical and cultural heritage, with great historical significance and research value in society, religion, architecture, and art, Shanxi murals are extraordinarily abundant, from the tomb murals of the Han Dynasty to temple murals of the Ming and Qing Dynasties, constituting a complete sequence. Combining historical, religious and secular themes expressed in an artistic way, Shanxi mural paintings are of great significance in archaeology, religion, and the history of Chinese painting.