Northeast Asian History Network

The Second Stone Prop of the Eastern Wall (Side – Detailed view of the celestial being)

The celestial beings wearing Heavenly Clothes are fundamentally different from the East Asian immortals generally wearing Winged Clothes. A celestial being is a type of immortal originating from the Southern Dynasty of China with Buddhism-influenced celestial-being imagery. They are categorized into celestial beings that rely on Heavenly Clothes for flight and combination celestial beings that wear Heavenly Clothes as well as utilize modes of transportation for flight.
The celestial being in the image is depicted with Heavenly Clothes for flight and is reminiscent of elegant celestial beings from Buddhist art with clothes blowing in the wind. Daoist figures that portray tall and slender appearances indicate significant advancement from the beast-like immortals of the Han Dynasty and reflect a new trend in Southern Dynasty of China art. The neat black contours and the bright and concise red and white color treatment enhance the celestial being’s sense of motion. The sense of motion is further emphasized by the cloud patterns below the hem of the celestial being's Heavenly Clothes.