Stone Carvings of the Southern Dynasties Tombs in Danyang

Stone Carvings of the Southern Dynasties Tombs in Danyang

The stone carvings of the Southern Dynasties tombs in Danyang are designated as a National Key Cultural Relics Protection Unit.

The stone carvings of the Southern Dynasties tombs in Danyang are located within Danyang County, Jiangsu Province.

The main discovered sites of the Danyang Southern Dynasties stone carvings include ten locations across eight areas: both banks of the Xiao-Liang River in Lingkou Town, Shiziwan, Xiantang, Qian’ai Temple, Jiwangchen Village, Lanshilong, Sanchengxiang, and Shuijingshan Village. These ten tombs primarily belong to emperors and empresses from the Qi and Liang dynasties of the Southern Dynasties, including the Yong’an Tomb of Emperor Xiaowu of Qi, Xiao Chengzhi; the Xiuan Tomb of Emperor Jing of Qi, Xiao Daosheng; the Jing’an Tomb of Emperor Wu of Qi, Xiao Zhao; the Xing’an Tomb of Emperor Ming of Qi, Xiao Luan; the Jian Tomb of Emperor Wen of Liang, Xiao Shunzhi; the Xiuling Tomb of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan; as well as nameless tombs in Jiwangchen Village, Lanshilong, and Shuijingshan Village that have been lost to history. In front of these tombs were spirit way stone carvings, which feature vivid designs and majestic grandeur, representing treasured artworks of ancient Chinese stone carving.

The Yong’an Tomb of Emperor Xiaowu of Qi, Xiao Chengzhi, is situated in Shiziwan, two li north of Hujiaqiao in Danyang City, facing south but now leveled. Two stone carvings remain in front of the tomb: the eastern one is a Tianlu (heavenly deer), well-preserved, measuring 2.95 meters in length, 2.75 meters in height, 1.40 meters in neck height, and 2.75 meters in body girth. It raises its head proudly, opens its mouth, and arches its body as if leaping, with two horns now broken, and curly whiskers hanging to its chest. It has wings with cloud patterns on the front, fine scales in the middle, and long wings at the back. Its body is covered with curling fur resembling tassels, and its tail drags on the ground. It has four claws, with the left front claw grasping a small beast. The western beast has fallen into the soil, its head missing, but the rest is intact, measuring 2.90 meters in length, 2.40 meters in girth, and 2.42 meters in total height, with a neck height of 1.38 meters. The overall design of the stone beasts is exquisite, majestic, and lifelike.

The Jing’an Tomb of Emperor Wu of Qi, Xiao Zhao, is located near Tianjia Village in Jianshan Township, Danyang County, facing north but now leveled. Only a pair of stone beasts remains in front of the tomb: the eastern one is a Tianlu, and the western one is a Qilin (Chinese unicorn). The Tianlu measures 3.15 meters in length, 2.80 meters in height, 1.55 meters in neck height, and 3 meters in girth. Its design, carvings, and spiritual expression are similar to the Tianlu in front of Xiao Chengzhi’s Yong’an Tomb. Due to its longer body and high, diagonal neck, with eyes gazing straight ahead, it appears slender and graceful. The western Qilin has lost all four feet, measures 2.70 meters in length, 1.40 meters in remaining height, and 2.51 meters in girth, with severe weathering and indistinct surface patterns. Only the general shapes of its wings remain. Though slightly smaller than the Tianlu, its form is extremely agile and elegant, with a very graceful posture.

The Xing’an Tomb of Emperor Jing of Qi, Xiao Daosheng, is located near Xiantang Bay in Shuijing Mountain, seventeen kilometers northeast of Danyang City. The tomb faces north and was excavated in 1965, with brick paintings found inside the burial chamber. Fifty-one meters in front of the tomb are two well-preserved stone carvings: the eastern one is a Tianlu, and the western one is a Qilin. The Tianlu measures 3.00 meters in length, 2.75 meters in height, 1.54 meters in neck height, and 2.52 meters in girth, with broken horns. The Qilin measures 2.90 meters in length, 2.42 meters in height, 1.83 meters in neck height, and 2.40 meters in girth, with a single horn covered in scale patterns. Both beasts have prominent chests and raised waists, bulging eyes and open mouths, as if crouching. The Tianlu’s head tilts slightly left, the Qilin’s slightly right; the Tianlu’s left foot is forward, the Qilin’s right. Each has four-clawed feet stepping on a small beast. Their long tails droop between the toes and then curl inward — the Tianlu’s curls left, the Qilin’s right. The coordinated and symmetrical postures of the two beasts give an overall sense of harmonious and graceful design.

Sanchengxiang houses three tombs: the Xing’an Tomb of Emperor Ming of Qi, Xiao Luan; the Jian Tomb of Emperor Wen of Liang, Xiao Shunzhi; and the Xiuling Tomb of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan. The Xing’an Tomb faces west but is now leveled. Two stone carvings remain in front: the northern one is a Tianlu with broken limbs, half-buried in soil, with only part of the forebody visible; the southern one is a Qilin, which has lost all four feet, measures 3.02 meters in length, 2.70 meters in remaining height, with a raised head, a broken single horn, tooth-like fuzz at the mouth corners, long whiskers hanging to the chest, a short and stout neck, uniquely shaped wings composed of four small wings, and exquisitely integrated long hair on the chest, all creating a richly ornamental and graceful appearance. The spine is raised, decorated with bead-like patterns from head to tail, adding to its luxurious beauty.

The Jian Tomb faces west but is now leveled. At the entrance of its spirit way are pairs of stone carvings: a Tianlu and a Qilin, square stone bases, spirit way stone pillars, and stone turtle pedestals. The stone beasts, a Tianlu and a Qilin, raise their heads and chests, with majestic designs and slightly upturned wings. Their fine scales are adorned with five-petal flowers, and their spines are decorated with continuous bead-like patterns from head to tail. The spirit way pillars feature tile-pattern ridges. The stone plaques on the pillars bear the inscription “Spirit Way of Emperor Wen the Great,” written in clerical script. The bases are round on top and square below, featuring ring-shaped chi-dragons with pearls in their mouths, double horns, four feet, and long tails. There are two stone turtle pedestals, shaped like giant turtles. Later interpretations suggest they represent the eldest son of the dragon from Chinese mythology — a creature fond of literature and bearing heavy loads. The grand steles are now lost, leaving only the pedestals, which are carved in a simple yet powerful style.

The Xiuling Tomb of Emperor Wu of Liang, Xiao Yan, faces west but is now leveled. Only one stone carving, a Tianlu, remains in front of the tomb. Located on the northern side of the spirit way and facing south, the Tianlu measures 3.10 meters in length, 2.80 meters in height, 1.45 meters in neck height, and 2.35 meters in girth. It raises its head and chest, poised to advance but holding back, exuding a majestic and spirited aura. It has double horns curving along the back of the skull, with knobby joints in the middle. The wings are carved with spiral patterns on the front and relief feather details on the back. The entire body is covered in vine-like patterns, with five-clawed feet, and a small beast under the left front foot.

In the areas of both banks of the Xiao-Liang River in Lingkou Town, Jiwangchen Village and Lanshilong in Jianshan Town, and Shuijingshan Village in Picheng Town, there is one unnamed tomb each, as their identities have been lost to history. All four tomb sites have stone carvings in front — either Tianlu and Qilin, or Qilin and stone lions — all featuring designs characteristic of the Southern Dynasties. The Qilins on both banks of the Xiao-Liang River are particularly finely crafted, with exquisitely ornate body patterns and elaborately designed wings, making them representative works of Southern Dynasties stone carvings. The tomb in Jiwangchen Village was excavated in 1968, unearthing portrait bricks depicting such scenes as “Feathered Man Playing with a Dragon,” “Feathered Man Playing with a Tiger,” and “Seven Sages of the Bamboo Grove.” The lines of the portraits are concise, and the figures are vividly rendered, making them masterpieces among Southern Dynasties portrait bricks. The tomb in Shuijingshan Village has been leveled, but a pair of stone lions remains in front. They appear to be pacing, with long bodies and short necks, short and small wings, no body patterns, and a round, robust, and powerful build, reflecting another distinctive feature of Southern Dynasties stone carving styles. (National Cultural Heritage Administration)

Further Reading:

· Third Batch of National Key Cultural Relics Protection Units