A Study Of The Phenomenon Of "rising Immortals" In The Han Portraits

Through analyzing the “Ascending to Immortality”(ATI)pictures and ATI phenomenon in Han dynasty’s portraits,this thesis intends to enunciate the possible connections between “the immortal worships,the immortal thoughts” and “the images”,with the aims to explain the reasons behind ATI,to further classify the ATI types and influencing factors,and to reveal the diachronic changes of ATI ideology,etc.Based on the previous studies on mythology and cultural anthropology,this thesis endeavors to discover the connections among Han ATI portraits,deity worship,ancestor worship,religious worship of the West Queen(Xi Wang Mu),and people’s expectations on the post-mortem world.Specifically,the thesis includes three parts.The first focuses on myths and history so as to examine the origin and development of the deity worship.In the evolution of heaven-human relationship,“jue di tian tong”(breaking off the way to heaven)becomes a representative myth story where human-beings are disconnected from deities.The follow-up of this milestone story is ancestor worship;together with the previous deity worship,both worships contribute to the emergence of ATI phenomenon.Meanwhile,the culture and custom of constant pursuit of the post-mortem world also laid the foundation for the ATI phenomenon.Ever since the Qin Dynasty,inspired by the “ fang shi ”(eastern alchemist),emperors have been tirelessly seeking for the entrance to ATI.The growing popularity of filial piety,zealous worship of the West Queen,and the increasing number of ancestral halls with then Emperors’ preference,all gradually developed Han portrait art into maturity.It is during this period that enormous quantities of ATI pictures were created.The next part then classifies the ATI pictures into categories on the base of the ATI approaches.Basically,there are mainly three ways to ATI: taking the elixir of life,soul(spiritual)ascension,flying with wings to ascension;every method is unique and characteristic in terms of composition and procedures.Among all these ATI approaches,taking the elixir of life is related to the religious worship of the West Queen;only being given the elixir by the West Queen,can this person get ATI.In terms of the soul(spiritual)ascension,it contains two specific ways: day ATI after attaining the Tao sadhana,and brought to the ATI by fantastic beats which implies the crucial importance of beats in ascension process.As for “flying(with wings)to ascension” approach,figures were drawn differently in portraits;yet,these figures are the new incarnations of the West Queen,which are neither deities nor human-beings,but some forms between.Moving on,the third part explores human-beings ’emotion and spirit behind ATI.For one thing,the structure and decoration of tombs where ATI portraits are stored,reflect the corresponding requirements of tomb owners.The tomb itself resembles a witchcraft-like magic,embodied with people’ attitude on life and death of those days.For another thing,the ATI phenomenon,to its essence,represents the re-connection between the immortal world and mortal one.The precondition qualities,e.g.“virtue”,“respect” is the same with “righteousness ideologies” that exists during the “jue di tian tong”(breaking off the way to heaven)period.