ABCs of Longmen: Why are statues in Longmen so exquisite?
Updated: 2015-10-26
The statues in Longmen Grottoes have got a great diversity of Buddhist figures and images, in all shapes and sizes. There is the 17.14 meters high Losana Buddha as well as small statues of few centimeters high only. The locations of the grottoes are arranged in a compact and orderly manner. What’s more, the larger than life statues are fascinating both in shape and appearance.
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The Losana Buddha in Fengxian Temple, Longmen Grottoes [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat] |
The Longmen Grottoes were mainly operated by the imperial households during Northern Wei and Tang dynasties. The direct participation and full support of the royal families is the primary reason contributed to the greatness of the grottoes. It can be told that there’s unified planning and layout at the very beginning and skillful craftsmen were recruited for the project of Longmen Grottoes.
Experts say, stones in Longmen mainly belong to the limestone and dolostone types, which are of high intensity and low hardness. Such rocks are easy to carve on but resistant to weathering and erosion.
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Two statues in Fengxian Temple, Longmen Grottoes [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat] |
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The Lianhua Cave in Longmen Grottoes [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat] |
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The Binyang Middle Cave in Longmen Grottoes [Photo / Longmen Grottoes on WeChat] |
