From stone to spirit: cultural sustainability, ritual practice, and digital preservation of the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chinese heritage

Dazu Rock Carvings showcase a unique evolution of religious artistry and cultural continuity from the Late Tang to Southern Song periods. The study identifies five key typologies—monumental narrative reliefs, votive niches, lay feast shrines, protective deity niches, and hybrid forms—that reveal shifts in religious expression, political context, and community engagement. Through iconographic and spatial analysis, the research demonstrates how visual culture served as a tool for moral instruction, social cohesion, and identity construction. Additionally, it highlights the role of contemporary digital technologies, such as 3D scanning and virtual preservation, in safeguarding this living heritage for future generations.

Sun, Y. (2026). From stone to spirit: cultural sustainability, ritual practice, and digital preservation of the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chinese heritage. Advances in Humanities Research, 13(5), 64–80. https://doi.org/10.54254/2753-7080/2026.33019