Study On Images Of "Winged Chimera" In Han Sulptured Stone

Although Han Sulptured Stone has its practical function and cultural function,it is an art form and a symbolic art in the first place.As a kind of mausoleum sacrificial art,the main purpose of Han Dynasty is not to represent reality,but to represent a kind of cosmic symbol.From the Angle of art,of the winged chimera images of Han style genre,image origin,cultural connotation,to understand the Han people's life and aesthetic activities,to understand the status of the history of the Han dynasty and folk customs.Winged chimera is a wide-used and long-popular art image in Han sculptured stone.The transformation of adding wings to animals early occurred in Shang dynasty and Warring States period,which reached its climax in Han Dynasty.People designed the wings for the dream of becoming immortal after death and equipped them with the ability to fly to the heaven.Therefore,wings fully demonstrate the richness and diversity of Chinese concept "treat the dead as they are alive”,which makes us fully comprehend the infatuation and persistent of Chinese for living immortally.There are different forms of winged chimera in Han sculptured stone,including the winged animals in nature and many mythical images like virtual animals.All natural animals and virtual animals were added wings to their bodies and able to fly with wings.This symbolizes disengagement from reality,giving people a genie and supernatural feeling,showing rich creativity of the Han sculptured stone art.Decorative languages and patterns on winged chimera in Han sculptured stone inherit the tradition of bronze art in Xia,Shang and Zhou Dynasties,including patterns of swirl,Taotie and Bird,whose depiction and expression have distinctive local characteristics.However,the specific shape and features of winged chimera in Han sculptured stone were affected by the Scythian Art of northern prairie nationality.The combination of Chinese and Western culture makes the image of the winged chimera in the Han sculptured stone tend to fusion in the mid-Eastern Han Dynasty.Winged chimera as an imaginary image was viewed as the supernatural being,which is the identification of Heaven and Paradise.Winged chimera travels between earth and heaven accompanied by the owner of the tomb,free and easy.Wingedchimera is able to take people to the immortal.It is able to devour ghosts,frighten enemies and guard the portal of earth and heaven.It also protects human and Gods and gives blessings.Various winged chimera patterns are so vivid that reveal people's desire for becoming immortal and pursuing happiness and good luck in Han Dynasty.