Ming Dynasty Essay
Not all Kings were born into royalty, such as the emperor Zhu Yuanzhang. His childhood did not consist of luxury, as he dealt with poverty. When Yuanzhang got older, he had a major breakthrough where he became the founding emperor of the Ming dynasty. The word Ming, means “bright” and from that word the dynasty is enlightened with many influential religions. Yuanzhang was considered as an important figure, but he wasn’t the only one as there were other figures that were introduced by religion. Such figures can be seen through statues and each of them represents the practices of religion during the Ming dynasty. Taoism or “Daoism” were widely spread throughout the Ming dynasty. Taoism can be defined as a philosophical ideology of a polytheistic
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Statue of the Celestial Worthy of the Great Unity, Savior from Suffering and Statue of Zhenwu are created through the ideology of religion. Taking their overall composition as an example, both of their idealistic styles were commonly derived from the influences of Buddhism. Like Taoism, Buddhism was also polytheistic. Both of the gods were portrayed with elongated earlobes, that meant that they were enlighten. Placing it in another perspective it can also symbolize the figure as a good listener and patient. Whether it was the Buddhist features, or backgrounds both Taoism and Buddhism ties in with the statues and through these statues it allowed viewers to understand what went through the artist’s mind and how the practice of religion greatly impact the Ming dynasty and China.
Just like how Taoism and Buddhism are not exactly alike, the statues of the Taoist gods are also different from each other. The Statue of Zhenwu portrayed Zhenwu as a strong and intimidating man, while the Statue of the Celestial Worthy of the Great Unity, Savior from Suffering portrayed Tianzun as serene and gentle. Statue of the Celestial Worthy of the Great Unity was made out of gilt bronze, whereas the Statue of Zhenwu is made out of bronze. Zhenwu did not have a buddhist god adaptation, but Tianzun was seen as the Taoist version of
Statue of the Celestial Worthy of the Great Unity, Savior from Suffering and Statue of Zhenwu are created through the ideology of religion. Taking their overall composition as an example, both of their idealistic styles were commonly derived from the influences of Buddhism. Like Taoism, Buddhism was also polytheistic. Both of the gods were portrayed with elongated earlobes, that meant that they were enlighten. Placing it in another perspective it can also symbolize the figure as a good listener and patient. Whether it was the Buddhist features, or backgrounds both Taoism and Buddhism ties in with the statues and through these statues it allowed viewers to understand what went through the artist’s mind and how the practice of religion greatly impact the Ming dynasty and China.
Just like how Taoism and Buddhism are not exactly alike, the statues of the Taoist gods are also different from each other. The Statue of Zhenwu portrayed Zhenwu as a strong and intimidating man, while the Statue of the Celestial Worthy of the Great Unity, Savior from Suffering portrayed Tianzun as serene and gentle. Statue of the Celestial Worthy of the Great Unity was made out of gilt bronze, whereas the Statue of Zhenwu is made out of bronze. Zhenwu did not have a buddhist god adaptation, but Tianzun was seen as the Taoist version of