Difference between revisions of "Longmen Grottoes" - New World Encyclopedia
Dan Davies (talk | contribs) |
Dan Davies (talk | contribs) |
||
| Line 3: | Line 3: | ||
{{Infobox World Heritage Site | {{Infobox World Heritage Site | ||
| WHS = Longmen Grottoes | | WHS = Longmen Grottoes | ||
| − | | Image = [[Image:Longmen-lu-she-na-1.jpg| | + | | Image = [[Image:Longmen-lu-she-na-1.jpg|220px|Lu She Na Buddha]] |
| State Party = [[Image:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg|22px]] [[People's Republic of China|China]] | | State Party = [[Image:Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg|22px]] [[People's Republic of China|China]] | ||
| Type = Cultural | | Type = Cultural | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
The '''Longmen Grottoes''' ([[Chinese language|ch.]] 龍門石窟/ 龙门石窟, lóngmén shíkū; lit. ''Dragon's Gate Grottoes'') or '''Longmen Caves''' are located 12 km south of present day [[Luoyang]] in [[Henan]] province, [[China]]. The grottoes, which overwhelmingly depict Buddhist subjects, are densely dotted along the two mountains: Xiangshan (to the east) and Longmenshan (to the west). The [[Yi River (China)|Yi River]] flows northward between them. For this reason, the area used to be called '''Yique''' (The Gate of the Yi River). From north to south, the distance covered by grottoes is about one km. Along with the [[Mogao Caves]] and [[Yungang Grottoes]], the Longmen Grottoes are one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites in China. | The '''Longmen Grottoes''' ([[Chinese language|ch.]] 龍門石窟/ 龙门石窟, lóngmén shíkū; lit. ''Dragon's Gate Grottoes'') or '''Longmen Caves''' are located 12 km south of present day [[Luoyang]] in [[Henan]] province, [[China]]. The grottoes, which overwhelmingly depict Buddhist subjects, are densely dotted along the two mountains: Xiangshan (to the east) and Longmenshan (to the west). The [[Yi River (China)|Yi River]] flows northward between them. For this reason, the area used to be called '''Yique''' (The Gate of the Yi River). From north to south, the distance covered by grottoes is about one km. Along with the [[Mogao Caves]] and [[Yungang Grottoes]], the Longmen Grottoes are one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites in China. | ||
| − | == | + | ==Description== |
| − | [[Image:Longmen-grottoes-longmen-mountain-from-a-distance.jpg| | + | [[Image:Longmen-grottoes-longmen-mountain-from-a-distance.jpg|right|thumb|220px|Mt. Longmen as seen from Manshui Bridge to the southeast.]] |
| − | According to the [[Longmen Caves Research Institute]], | + | According to the [[Longmen Caves Research Institute]], 2345 caves and niches, 2800 inscriptions, forty three [[pagodas]] and over 100,000 [[Buddhist]] images populate the site. Thirty percent of the caves date from the [[Northern Wei Dynasty]], sixty percent from the [[Tang Dynasty]], and caves from other periods less than ten percent. The most impressive collection of Chinese art from those dynasties, dating from 316 to 907 C.E., they represent the zenith of stone carving in China.<ref name="unesco">{{cite web |
|year= | |year= | ||
|month= | |month= | ||
| Line 24: | Line 24: | ||
|title=Longmen Grottoes | |title=Longmen Grottoes | ||
|publisher=UNESCO | |publisher=UNESCO | ||
| − | |accessdate= | + | |accessdate=2008-10-02 |
| − | }}</ref> | + | }}</ref> The area was inscribed on the [[UNESCO]] [[World Heritage List]] in November 2000. |
==History== | ==History== | ||
| − | During the [[Warring States Period]], the general [[Bai Qi]] of [[Qin (state)]] once defeated the allied forces of [[Han (state)]] and [[Wei (state)]] at the site. | + | During the [[Warring States Period]], the general [[Bai Qi]] of [[Qin (state)]] once defeated the allied forces of [[Han (state)]] and [[Wei (state)]] at the site. Construction of the grottoes themselves began in 493 C.E. According to the inscription the Longmen Grottoes are an illustration of "...the perfection of a long-established art form which was to play a highly significant role in the cultural evolution of this region of Asia."<ref name="unesco"/> |
| − | |||
| − | Construction of the grottoes themselves began in | ||
| − | |||
| − | |||
| − | According to the inscription the Longmen Grottoes are an illustration of "...the perfection of a long-established art form which was to play a highly significant role in the cultural evolution of this region of Asia."<ref name="unesco"/> | ||
==Individual grottoes by dynasty completed== | ==Individual grottoes by dynasty completed== | ||
| Line 55: | Line 50: | ||
*[[North Binyang Cave]] (104) | *[[North Binyang Cave]] (104) | ||
| − | |||
{{commons|Longmen|Longmen Grottoes}} | {{commons|Longmen|Longmen Grottoes}} | ||
| − | The Longmen area is open to the public, and although the grottoes cannot be entered most of the artwork can be seen from the exterior. | + | The Longmen area is open to the public, and although the grottoes cannot be entered most of the artwork can be seen from the exterior. |
| + | |||
| + | |||
==Notes== | ==Notes== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
Revision as of 22:25, 2 October 2008
Coordinates:
| Longmen Grottoes* | |
|---|---|
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
| |
| State Party |  China
|
| Type | Cultural |
| Criteria | i, ii, iii |
| Reference | 1003 |
| Region** | Asia-Pacific |
| Inscription history | |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
| * Name as inscribed on World Heritage List. ** Region as classified by UNESCO. | |
The Longmen Grottoes (ch. 龍門石窟/ 龙门石窟, lóngmén shíkū; lit. Dragon's Gate Grottoes) or Longmen Caves are located 12 km south of present day Luoyang in Henan province, China. The grottoes, which overwhelmingly depict Buddhist subjects, are densely dotted along the two mountains: Xiangshan (to the east) and Longmenshan (to the west). The Yi River flows northward between them. For this reason, the area used to be called Yique (The Gate of the Yi River). From north to south, the distance covered by grottoes is about one km. Along with the Mogao Caves and Yungang Grottoes, the Longmen Grottoes are one of the three most famous ancient sculptural sites in China.
Description
According to the Longmen Caves Research Institute, 2345 caves and niches, 2800 inscriptions, forty three pagodas and over 100,000 Buddhist images populate the site. Thirty percent of the caves date from the Northern Wei Dynasty, sixty percent from the Tang Dynasty, and caves from other periods less than ten percent. The most impressive collection of Chinese art from those dynasties, dating from 316 to 907 C.E., they represent the zenith of stone carving in China.[1] The area was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in November 2000.
History
During the Warring States Period, the general Bai Qi of Qin (state) once defeated the allied forces of Han (state) and Wei (state) at the site. Construction of the grottoes themselves began in 493 C.E. According to the inscription the Longmen Grottoes are an illustration of "...the perfection of a long-established art form which was to play a highly significant role in the cultural evolution of this region of Asia."[1]
Individual grottoes by dynasty completed
Northern Wei
- Guyang Cave
- Middle Binyang Cave (140)
- Lotus-flower Cave
- Weizi Cave
- Huangfugong Cave
Sui
- South Binyang Cave (159)
Tang
- Fengxiansi
- 10,000 Buddha Cave
- Hidden Stream Temple Cave (20)
- Kanjingsi
- Dawanwufo Cave
- North Binyang Cave (104)
The Longmen area is open to the public, and although the grottoes cannot be entered most of the artwork can be seen from the exterior.
Notes
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Longmen Grottoes. UNESCO. Retrieved 2008-10-02.
ReferencesISBN links support NWE through referral fees
| |||||||
External Links
Credits
New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:
The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:
Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.
