Appreciation Of Falconry In Ancient Chinese Art

Archeologic foundings show humans start using prey birds 5,000 years ago.Falconry,as one form of such hunting,serves as a means of seizing substance in the very beginning,but develops into a sport later on.The recording of falconry is in great amount throughout Chinese ancient historic files,literature and art works.This thesis is intended to pick the best samples from these massive hoards of recordings,which will span a broad range of topics and course of time,including but not limited to jade,bronze,texitile,silk and paintings.Over a long period of time,the painting of Imprerial Falcon by Hui Zong of Song Dynasty and the so-called holy bird Hai Dong Qing are the two most prime subjects.My thesis is an attempt to unveil their true look and correct misconcepts about them since long.In the order of Chinese dynasties,the thesis consists of six parts,namely "Totem of Eagle"(dynasties of Shang,Zhou and Han),"Thriving of Falconry sport"(dynasties of Tang and Five dynasties period),"Eagle painting by Emperor Hui"(dynasty of North Song),"Eagle of Nature"(dynasty of South Song,and dynasty of Yuan),"Gyrfalcon attacking a swan"(dynasty of Yuan and Ming),and "Imperial love of Eagle"(dynasties of Yuan,Ming and Qing).My analysis of these artworks of different times is attempted to exhibit ancient Chinese tradition of Falconry,changing of the features of Falconry art during rotating dynasties and finally reflect on development Chinese art.