• Koguryo and Balhae
  • Tokhung-ri Tomb
Jade Maiden 03
TitleJade Maiden 03
Jade Maiden on the ceiling of the antechamber (western wall) 03
zoom

This is a detailed view of the immortal on the antechamber ceiling (western wall) in Tokhung-ri Tomb. Two immortals, each on the western and southern walls, are depicted on the ceiling of the antechamber.
The concept of Daoist immortals emerged during the late Warring States period. The term immortal and its synonym supernatural being were poetically defined by Ban Gu (32 - 92 CE) in the “Art and Literature” section of Hanshu or the History of the Han Dynasty as "Maintaining a truthful life while wandering the outside world, with pure intentions in one way or another, soothing the heart in balance of life and death, and existing without any sorrow." Therefore, an immortal or supernatural being was an ideal existence pursued by all since ancient times to transcend death and wander the heavens.
The immortal in the image can be seen holding a banner with one hand and a lotus-like flower in the other. She is barefoot and wearing Winged Clothes (clothing worn by immortals with the ends of the hems split like bird wings) and a hat favored by immortals. This is a particularly interesting mural portraying a combination of the Buddhist and immortal spiritual worlds.

페이지 상단으로 이동하기