An Research On The Patterns Of Feitian In The Wei, Jin And Southern And Northern Dynasties

With its pervasive influence, Feitian (Flying Apsaras) is a well-known Buddhist figure in China. However, given the diversified artistic styles of Feitian, people are always at a loss. And in this regard, even the academic circle has not provided convincing systematic research. This paper intends to provide a preliminary solution to this issue with an eye into the Feitian patterns in the Wei, Jin and Southern and Northern dynasties.Focusing on the origins of Feitian patterns, this paper tries to uncover the evolutionary process from India to China. As to the methodology of detailed elaboration, each of the four parts will integrate diachronic and synchronic study, argumentation and textual research, macroscopic and microscopic viewpoint, parallel and influence perspective.The first part is an introduction that sketches out the status quo of Feitian research and the methods and goals of this paper. The second part makes a systematic pectination of the origins of Feitian patterns, from the early Indian Feitian patterns to the specific context of its spreading into China. The different transmission approaches and the Feitian patterns of Southern system are also elaborated in this part. In the third part, four regional patterns of Feitian—the western regions, Liangzhou mode, Pingcheng mode and Chinese Central Plain mode—have been presented with an investigation of their corresponding representative Buddhist grottoes. And according to the analysis of the basic features of Feitian'clothes, ornaments, countenance and postures, this section holds that the prevailing custom of Nan dynasty is the root cause of the evolution of grotto Feitian patterns. The last part of this paper analyzes the prevailing custom of Nan Dynasty and its influence on the Buddhist art, and then elaborate further on the prototype of the Feitian pattern in Nan dynasty. In a conclusion, this paper holds that the real impetus behind China's Feitian evolution exists within the prevailing social custom in Nan dynasty. It is the changing social customs in Nan dynasty that bring about the changing patterns of Feitian, which can also be regarded as the original source of China's Feitian evolution.