Studies On Han Sarcophagi And The Belief Of Immortality

As a unified empire, Han dynasty is an important period in Chinese history. The research on regional characteristics of Han dynasty is one of the important archeological topics. So many Han-tombs were found in Sichuan region, and the images of Han sarcophagi is unique in the country, and reflects early religious Daoist thoughts in many ways. It is highly valuable.In recent years, a number of new materials were excavated in Sichuan province. At the same time, the research theory and method of Han art also gained a certain breakthrough, further research on the Han sarcophagi has become possible. It is necessary to sum up the field of Han sarcophagi art in Sichuan, explore their cultural development sequence, and reveal its regional characteristics. Furthermore, we can explore deeper social, historical, cultural and religious significance by new methods, especially for the research of early religious Daoism, the native religion in Sichuan in late Eastern Han dynasty, which is of great significance. But the formers are subjected to the research approach as well as the excavated materials.This research has three main characteristics and relevant breakthrough:Firstly, the archaeological information of Han sarcophagi in this dissertation are scientific, complete and accurate, and according to them, the knowledge on the cultural development sequence and the regional characteristics of the images of Han sarcophagi are reconstructed.Secondly, the comprehensive and systematic research on the excavated Han sarcophagi is based on archaeological method, combined with methodology of iconology, religion and philology.Thirdly, as a "living place" before the dead ascend from ghostdom to paradise, sarcophagi reflect the ghostdom-belief of the time. Actually, the pictures on sarcophagi are groups of theological symbols, which should help decedents go to heaven and become immortal. These pictures accurately reflect the thoughts of early religious Daoism. This research will make further explorations on the relationship between the art of Han sarcophagi and early Daoism. Taking sarcophagi as a unit, summing up the configuration modes of the art in them, the dissertation explores the symbolic meaning and the hidden funeral custom in them, reveals religious beliefs and related information by understanding the laws in them. Also, it will provide much more new archaeological information for further studies.To make the reader know the basic situation of Han sarcophagi, this dissertation has gathered and shown the total unearthed sarcophagi materials in Sichuan province in the past decades, and attached the rubbings and photographs in it. In it I’ve tried to decipher the meaning of some images on Han sarcophagi, discussed the belief of immortality in Sichuan in late Han dynasty, made a deep research on the ghostdom belief, the profound thoughts and the rituals of early religious Daoism found in these Han sarcophagi.