The Research On Han Dynasty Inscriptions In Stone Reliefs Of Yanzhou Province

Stone reliefs,born in the Han Dynasty when elaborate funerals were popular,almost became an indispensable part of the funeral custom at that time.In addition to a large number of patterns,stone reliefs feature portraits of tomb owners or many characters that serve as a summary of their life.What these characters indicate is of great value to the social research on the Han Dynasty.The province of Yanzhou,an important administrative region in the Han Dynasty,boasts a favorable natural environment,a developed economy,a large population,convenient transportation and a strong Confucianism atmosphere,which made Yanzhou one of the most advanced regions in the Han Dynasty and account for why a great number of stone reliefs have been unearthed there.This paper takes a look at 40 inscriptions in stone reliefs,classified according to content and function.It explores what the inscriptions reflect,such as the ancient people’s desire for immortality in heaven,their family values and the then social unrest.As the product of filial piety,wealth and extreme eagerness for immortality,stone reliefs was on the wane due to social instability,rampant grave robbing,and self-limitation that stemmed from the upper class’ s oppression of the lower class.While stone reliefs withered away after the Han Dynasty,Buddhist statues and inscriptions were getting prevalent as Buddhism spread and took root in China.A continuation of the social function of stone reliefs,Buddhist statues and inscriptions took on a more secular,broader role and significance.