Pure Land ¡¤ Gentleman Woman

The lotus image is the first plant decorative pattern and is also the most active one in the history of Chinese ornaments. This is the first academic thesis to systematically study the lotus image in ancient China. Based on the overall literature, the study is unfolded into five dimentions origin & development, form, Iconography, Iconology, and continuity in the style of the lotus image by combining Iconology, Stylistics, Culturalistics, Sociology, and formalistic analysis in the study of western fine arts history with traditional textual research and literature science. At the same time, the lotus image is illustrated respectively in four spaces Buddhism art, design art, pure art and folk art, which constitute Chinese art. In addition, each part of the thesis is written by means of integrating diachronic study into synchronic study. This dissertation consists of six chapters. Chapter one investigates the starting point of the lotus image in the history of Chinese ornaments, that is, a definition of its accurate time. Furthermore, this part has discussed the relationships between the vogue of lotus and Buddhism. Chapter two demonstrates from many perspectives the condition in distribution, the characteristic in form, and the changing process of the lotus image in Chinese ancient art. Chapter three seeks to interpret the Iconography of the lotus image respectively in Buddhism art, literati art, and folk art, that is, the symbol and theme of the lotus image in different art categories. Chapter four probes into the relationships between the changing process of the lotus image in form and social politics, economy, culture and philosophy in different ages. The last chapter attempts to explore the continuity of the lotus image in style, that is, to discuss the inherent relationships in style between post-lotus plant decorative patterns and the first one in the history of Chinese plant ornaments.On the foundation of the profound research into the literature,the author has put forward some new points of view.