The Research Of Zodiac Decoration Images On Epitaph In Liao Dynasty

This essay studies the features, evolution and cultural connotation of Zodiac Decoration images on Epitaph in Liao Dynasty. Epitaph was the carrier of funeral culture and zodiac ornamentation was especially widely used in the basic pattern of it. It emerged in Northern Wei, was popular in burial. It emerges in Northern Wei, is popular in the Sui dynasty and Tang dynasty, and finished in the Liao and Song. Not only bearing the basic heritage of their own styles hut also updating with the developing of the eras, so their system undoubtedly has important theoretical significance and practical value. The essay elects the pattern of Liao Dynasty of zodiac decoration and makes a summary. It investigates the variation of the zodiac ornamentation in the different periods of the Liao Dynasty, such as the humanoid of the image, the evolution of semi-animal human and semi-human form of the animal prototype. In addition, there is a special chapter that explores the difference of Zodiac decorations in the epitaphs between Liao Dynasty and Tang Dynasty in the same period, summarizes other carrier of Zodiac decorations and the Zodiac decorations of central plains at the same time. And it summarizes a developmental history of the zodiac images on Liao dynasty epitaphs.