Mural paintings in Tang tombs

Tomb murals, as an important wing of traditional Chinese murals, are generally painted on the four walls and tops of tombs as well as on the sides of canals. The contents of the tomb murals mostly reflect the activities of the deceased during their lifetime, and there are also gods and spirits, myths and legends, historical stories, the sun, moon and stars, as well as patterns and decorations, the purpose of which is mainly for sermons and remembrances of the deceased, or in the hope that the deceased can live a good life in the underworld.

The ancients believed that the soul of a person can live forever after death, from the late Western Han Dynasty to the Eastern Han Dynasty, some local magnates and powerful families were buried thickly into the wind. In accordance with the living and living conditions of the deceased during their lifetime, luxurious burial chambers were created for them. In addition to burying figurines of symbolic guards, servants, maids of honor, and a variety of precious objects and household goods, murals were also painted in the burial chamber. Mural content is rich, some within a tomb mural area of more than two hundred square meters. Some of its artistic style is more realistic, some bold and unrestrained, belonging to the painting method.

Tomb mural content is as far as possible to the world of life living environment, people activities are included. The top of the tomb was first painted with the image of the tomb owner ascending to immortality, and later with the sun, moon, stars, clouds and air, representing the four directions of the gods of the green dragon, white tiger, vermilion bird and Xuanwu, thus symbolizing the heavenly realm. In the tomb passage and the main position in the tomb room is the tomb owner's distinguished career experience, especially prominent is able to represent the character of the official title of the travel ceremonies, horses and vehicles, guards and so on. Sometimes his official residence, the city, as well as the scene of major political activities are also painted. And those who have served as a military position, but also to draw the war he has experienced, often land and water capture the cool scene. Another part of the important content is the performance of the tomb owner's daily life and the wealth he has, his residence premises, livestock, property, kitchen, banquets, as well as music, dance and theater performances, and so on, are all painted in detail.