A Study On The Image Spectrum Of Murals In Kizil Grottoes

This paper discusses the image spectrum of murals in Kizil grottoes. The so-called flower image spectrum refers to the large number of image series, which are composed of different forms of flowers and flower trees and recur repeatedly. They are named as “Tian Yu Hua” based on ancient Buddhist books and records such as “Tian Yu Zhong Hua”.Based on the many mature research achievements of predecessors, the paper mainly addresses the representative images of “Tian Yu Hua” in murals of Kizil grottoes, which are typical and have multiple cultural connotations and aesthetic meanings. This paper combs, concludes and analyzes the “Tian Yu Hua” according to its category, composition forms, as well as its distribution and application in murals. The functions of cultural symbols, mental emotions and aesthetic decoration of “Tian Yu Hua” in murals of Kizil grottoes are also examined and explored from perspectives of religious culture, national awareness, visual aesthetic, etc. In the meanwhile, this paper also demonstrates the special value of “Tian Yu Hua” in murals of Kizil grottoes and its mapping of local cultural characteristics through comparisons with flower image applications in grotto art influenced by other cultures(Indian Culture, Gandhara Culture and Central Plain Culture).