Study On Nan Dynasty Lithoglyph

In Chinese ancient times,rites and music were a social mainstay,and a funeral system was one of the important rules of rites,and mausoleum architectures serve as their materialization,with lithoglyph as the significant part of ancient mausoleum systems.Emperor’s tombs and mausoleum systems were closely associated with the social condition of the time,reflecting social politics,economy,and culture’ as well as the ideological rite customs,which is the important topic of historical study,and gives us a deep sight into the details of the all-round ancient social lives.After Dongjin Dynasty was destroyed in AD 420,the history experienced a frequent and successive shift of four Dynasties in the south China as Songz Qi,Liang and Chen,each of which did not last long,ranging from 23 years to 55 years.These four dynasties were named as South Dynasty after the South China,and this historical period was called North and South Dynasty along with the North Dynasty such as North Wei,East Wei,West Wei,North Qi and North Zhou.This dissertation deals with lithoglyph groups on the overground buildings of the South Dynasty tombs in the regions of Nanjing and Danyang,with the help of the modem means of surveying and mapping architecture,combined with historical literature,excavated materials and research achievements madein different periods,applying to the method of examples,in order to further the exploration on South Dynasty tombs stone inscriptions with the expectation of filling in the deficiency and gap which hitherto exist in our study of Six Dynasties,preserving and enriching the cultural heritage of ancient buildings and securing national cultureThe dissertation is composed of nine chapters.The first chapter discusses the abrupt rise of the region south to the Changjiang River,which finally led to the different features of South Dynasty system of catacombs from that of Wei and Jin Dynasties,with tomb stone inscriptions as the most outstanding presentation.The second and third chapters focus on the field expeditions,measurements and arrangements of South Qi tomb sculptures in the Danyang Region,and then analyzes tomb sculptures in the South Dynasty.Hierarchy was one of essential features in feudal times,and tombs were what can help reason and restore ancient hierarchical states.The design of stone animals along spirit paths to the Southern Dynasty mausoleum,the shapes and structures of graves,the contents of the frescoes,and even the burials at the feet of mountains reflect the hierarchy,and reveal the Southern Dynasty rulers’ attempt to reconstruct and maintain the new ruling order as well.The fourth and fifth chapter center around the field expeditions,measurements and arrangements of South Dynasty Xiaoliang Tomb Sculptures in the Danyang and Nanjing Region,which,compared with tomb sculptures in Nan Qi,changed dramatically and embodied the prosperity of Buddhism to some degree.The sixth chapter mainly studies the sequences and sources of South Dynasty tomb stone inscriptions Watchtowers on either side of a palace gates which had ever been popular in Qin and Han Dynasties were replaced by a new combination of six or eight pieces consisting of stone pillars,stone animals and stone tablets.This new sequence was not only established as a system,but also indicated that a new order was founded.The seventh chapter examines some problems relative to building tombs at the foot of mountain concerning South Dynasty tomb stone inscriptions In the second year of Huanehu(AD 221),Emperor Weiwen,Caopi proposed that tombs should be built at the foot of mountain,which originated from mountain worship of ancient people.It was the first time that this burial system had been applied to Duke Chuyuan tomb in Xihan Dynasty.After the Yongjia Riot,a large number of Qingxu intellectuals moved southward,which introduced the practice of building graves at the foot of mountain to the south China,and the custom developed in the process of blending with the local culture.The eighth chapter investigates some problems related to Fengshuishu involved in the South Dynasty tomb stone inscriptions.Ancient people thought stones could drive away evil spirits and protect descendants;therefore,stones became the essence of Fengshui culture,and the symbol of Fengshui culture in South Dynasty besides the concept of building tombs at the foot of mountain and Four Gods.At the same time Fengshui was officialized and inherited by later dynasties.The ninth chapter explores the problems about the names and their origins of stone animals in South Dynasty mausoleum,which has been probed into by scholars.Despite the fact that huge achievements in Donghan Dynasty were succeeded,the thought of stone animals in South Dynasty mausoleum developed in two different trends.The names and their origins varied in different periods,which was closely linked with the social environment,ideas,thoughts,and beliefs.The conclusion can be reached that South Dynasty mausoleum lithoglyph is one of achievements from integrating southward immigration of North Chinese with the.conventions of south China,which makes South Dynasty mausoleum lithoglyph prominent in the period of North and South Dynasties.Going through four Dynasties,regionally institutional form was formed in a certain period of North and South Dynasties,which distinguishes from other works of that time owing to its institutionalization,standardization of designs and simplification of combination,because the political center and rite systems remained unchanged.Therefore,the South Dynasty mausoleum system is the stage of development rather than the stage of comedown in the history of burial system.