The Evolution of the Clustered Lotus Incarnation in the Yungang Grottoes

A comparative analysis of the clustered lotus incarnation motifs in Yungang Grottoes' Cave 10 and Cave 5 reveals distinct stylistic influences and evolutionary trajectories. Cave 10's imagery shows strong Western Regions and Gandhara elements, likely influenced by Khotan's sculptural traditions and Wang Yu's standardized iconographic system, while Cave 5's lotus incarnations exhibit the elegant slender style (Xiugu Qingxiang), shaped by Pingcheng's cultural strength, Longmen area's artistic fashion, and above-ground temple decorative styles. This study highlights that Pure Land themes in Yungang pre-sixth century do not always conform to Buddhist scriptures, offering new insights into the developmental trajectory of this iconographic motif through comparative analysis with sites like Siyan Stupa at Longcheng, Yongning Temple in Luoyang, and Guyang Cave at Longmen.

Li, H. (2026). The Evolution of the Clustered Lotus Incarnation in the Yungang Grottoes. Scientific Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences, 8(4), 307–315. https://doi.org/10.54691/qajmv919