Niches and Sculptures of the Imaginary Realm—Revisiting the Fowan Rock Carvings, Beishan, Dazu

A new analysis of the Fowan Cliff Carvings, part of the UNESCO-listed Dazu Grottoes, reveals that niche inscriptions provide critical insights into the cultural and historical context of these Late Tang to Southern Song-era sculptures. By examining lay feasting activities in relation to period background, researchers have identified shared inclinations and connections between niches, offering a holistic understanding of their design, content changes, and thematic choices. This approach restores a sense of situatedness across different eras at Fowan, bridging gaps between typological, iconographic, and archaeological studies.

Sun, B. (2023). Niches and Sculptures of the Imaginary Realm—Revisiting the Fowan Rock Carvings, Beishan, Dazu. Religions, 15(1), 50. https://doi.org/10.3390/rel15010050