Pilgrimage of Celestials
3 min readPainter: Ma Junxiang, Ma Qi, et alii
Painting Year: the Yuan Dynasty
Material: mural
Dimension: vertical length of 426 centimeters and overall length of 9468 centimeters Collection Place: Yongle Palace in Shanxi The mural Pilgrimage of Celestials is kept in Sanqing Hall of Yongle Palace in Shanxi, which was made by Ma Junxiang, his son Ma Qi and other painters from Luoyang in the Yuan Dynasty. The mural on east, south, west and north walls depict Three Supreme Purity Lords enjoys pilgrim-age by main gods of eight directions and other gods. On this grand scene, various celestials are different with their features. The mural is outlined with painting in elaborate style. The lines are powerful and smooth. The longest line is 3 meters long and throughout from the beginning to the end. The mural boasts brilliant colors and classical style. Mural on east wall of Sanqing Hall(please refer to big picture) depicts that Jade Emperor and Goddess of Earth lead all gods to pay pilgrimage for Three Supreme Purity Lords. Jade Emperor and Goddess of Earth are highlight-ed.
Many fgures echo with distinct priority, which show different postures. The whole artwork shows celestial at-mosphere.
Yongle Palace
Yongle Palace was previously located in Yongle Town, Yongji County, Shanxi. In the Yuan Dynasty, it became one of the preaching sites for Quanzhen School of Taoism. In 1959, in order to build Sanmenxia Reservoir, Yongle Hall was relocated in Ruicheng County. From south to north, it consists of Wuji Gate, Sanqing Hall, Chunyang Hall and Chongyang Hall, where murals are painted.
This is beautiful”Fengbao Jade Woman”in mural on west side of north wall of Sanqing Hall. She wears head pendants and jewelry on the body, with plump cheek, clear facial features and light smile. She holds a plate on the hand, and elegantly stands beside Gouchen Xinggong Heaven Emperor.
Figures in the mural in Sanqing Hall of Yongle Palace All fgures in the mural in Sanqing Hall of Yongle Palace are Taoism immortals. In Taoism, Three Supreme Purity Lords enjoy the highest status as the founder of the universe,i.e., Lord of Jade Purity Primordial Beginning, Lord of Supreme Purity Treasure and Lord of Grand Purity Virtue(Grand Supreme Elder Lord). In Sanqing Hall, statues of Three Supreme Purity Lords used to stand in the middle of the hall, which are lost due to the destruction.
Mural in Sanqing Hall of Yongle Palace depicts other Taoisn celestials in ten layers as follows main gods of eight directions,i.e., Jade Emperor, Ziwei, Gouchen, Goddess of Earth, Wood God, Gold Goddess,0ld Man of the South Pole and Lord of Supreme Oneness and Salvation from Misery (layer 1); all heavenly gods, such as 32 heavenly gods(Layer 2); the hosts of heaven, such as Bid Dipper and 28 Constellations(Layer 3); Heaven Deity, Earth Deity and Water Deity, Sanyuan Immortal, etc (Layer 4); famous preachers for all dynasties(Layer 5), Thunder God and Light Goddess(Layer 6); Gods of the Five Mountains (Layer 7); Beiyin Fengdu Emperor as ruler of nether world, Shuifu Fusang Emperor and subordinates(Layer 8); assistants, envoys, boy and girl attendants of fairies (Layer 9); town gods, gods of the land and the gods of grain (Layer 10).
These are”Ten Taiyi Immortals (Gods of Supreme Oneness and Salvation from Misery)”in mural on west wall in Sanging Hall. Taiyi Immortalsare all god of mercy for lifting people from sufferings. They all hold memorial plate by hand. Some claim to Three Supreme Purity Lords, some listen to others with cupping hands, some keep calm, and some frown in meditation. Every Taiyi Immortal is vividly painted with subtle facial expressions.
This is”White Tiger King”in mural on west side of south wall in Sanqing Hall. He wears armor and holds weapon by hand, with long beard, fying ribbon, glaring eyes and great masculinity.A white tiger opens mouth and follows White Tiger King, thereby adding intrepidity to this fgure.
