Summary:
As an important part of Mediterranean religious culture, painted coffin paintings from the Late Bronze Age in ancient Greece reflect the ancient Greeks' belief in the afterlife and their reverence for nature. From the perspective of mythology and maritime cultural characteristics, this paper explores the mythological elements and marine images presented in painted coffin paintings, and their connection with ancient Greek religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Through the interpretation and analysis of the painted coffin paintings, the beautiful fantasy of the ancient Greeks about the afterlife, the reverence for the forces of nature, and the expression of religious beliefs are revealed.
I. Introduction
The painted coffin paintings of the late Bronze Age in ancient Greece are one of the important artistic heritages in ancient Greek culture, carrying rich mythological stories and cultural connotations. In these painted coffin paintings, we can find a large number of ancient Greeks' cognition and expression of death, the world and religious beliefs, which integrate rich elements of maritime culture, showing the ancient Greeks' deep feelings for the sea and their exploration of the unknown world.
II. The production and formal characteristics of painted coffin paintings
A. The production process and materials of the painted coffin painting
The painted coffin painting of the late Bronze Age in ancient Greece is a composite artwork that integrates the art of painting and craftsmanship, and its production process and materials reflect the technical level and aesthetic concept of the ancient Greeks.
First of all, in the production process of painted coffin paintings, ancient Greek craftsmen usually chose high-quality wood as the basic structure, such as cypress, olive wood, etc., to ensure the solidity and stability of the coffin. They would then apply a layer of plaster or lime to the outer surface of the coffin, which would serve as the basis for the surface of the painting, to increase the adhesion and persistence of the paint paint.
Secondly, the pigments used in painted coffin paintings are mainly a mixture of natural mineral pigments and organic pigments, including ochre, cinnabar, sapphire, carbon black, etc. These pigments need to be finely ground and blended during the production process to ensure a stable and long-lasting color. At the same time, ancient Greek craftsmen also used various vegetable oils and resins as diluents and fixatives for pigments to increase the shine and longevity of their paintings.
In addition, in the painting process, ancient Greek craftsmen often used brushes made of natural fibers such as silk or wool, as well as small tools made of bone or ivory, to paint and depict details. The delicate production and flexible use of these tools add vividness and three-dimensionality to the painted coffin paintings.
In general, the craftsmanship of the late Bronze Age painted coffin paintings in ancient Greece pays attention to detail and exquisite skill, reflecting the pursuit of art and the mastery of technology by ancient Greek craftsmen.
B. The shape and style of the painted coffin painting
The painted coffin paintings of the Bronze Age in ancient Greece are diverse and rich in shape and style, reflecting the aesthetic trend and religious beliefs of the society at that time.
In terms of shape, painted coffin paintings usually use rectangular or oval coffins as the base structure, and their sides often present upright or oblique lines to add visual effect and decoration. At the top, it is often decorated with curves or spires to highlight its religious significance and ritual.
In terms of style, the pictorial content of painted coffin paintings usually includes rich mythological stories and religious symbols, such as gods, heroes, and trees of life. Among them, the images of mythological figures are often artistically treated and exaggerated to highlight their sacredness and supernatural powers. At the same time, ancient Greek craftsmen often added marine elements to the painted coffin paintings, such as waves, sea gods, sea monsters, etc., to reflect the ancient Greeks' worship of the sea and the exploration of the unknown world.
In general, the shape and style of painted coffin paintings of the Late Bronze Age in ancient Greece reflect the aesthetic taste and religious beliefs of the ancient Greeks, as well as their yearning and exploration of nature and the mysterious world.
C. Colors and painting techniques of painted coffin paintings
The color and painting techniques of painted coffin paintings are an important part of their artistic expression, reflecting the ancient Greeks' use of color and light and shadow, as well as the pursuit of artistic form and effect.
In terms of color, painted coffin paintings usually use bright and contrasting colors, such as red, blue, yellow, etc., to enhance the visual effect and expressiveness of the painting. At the same time, ancient Greek craftsmen were also adept at using shadows and contrasts of light and dark to highlight the three-dimensional and dynamic effects of the images.
In terms of painting techniques, painted coffin paintings often adopt a style with clear lines and bright colors to show vivid images of mythological figures and marine elements. Ancient Greek craftsmen were adept at using the combination of dots, lines, and planes, as well as the techniques of gradation and superposition, to add layers and three-dimensionality to their paintings.
III. The content of the image depicted in the painted coffin painting
A. The Symbolism and Meaning of the Land Mapscape
Land scenes commonly found in ancient Greek painted coffin paintings, such as cities, buildings, pastoral scenes, etc., often have symbolic meanings. The depiction of cities often represents the order and civilization of human society, while buildings may suggest a connection between life and death. Idyllic scenery is often seen as a fond memory of the deceased's life, or a yearning for the afterlife. The existence of these images not only enriches the artistic expression of painted coffin paintings, but also provides viewers with a space to think about the relationship between life and death, human society and nature.
B. Symbolism and Meaning of the Ocean Picture
The sea played an important role in ancient Greek painted coffin paintings, often appearing as a symbolic image. The ocean is seen as a mysterious, deep world, representing the source of life and the eternal flow. Images such as the undulation of the waves, the swimming of fish, and the navigation of ships often imply the cycle of life and the migration of souls, as well as the exploration of the unknown world and the yearning for the other world.
In addition, the sea is closely related to the religious beliefs of the ancient Greeks. In ancient Greek mythology, the sea was considered the domain of Poseidon, the god of the sea, and played an important sacred role as well as other gods such as Zeus, Apollo, etc. As a result, the appearance of images of the sea in painted coffin paintings often carries a religious ritual color, symbolizing human reverence for the gods and belief in the afterlife.
C. Interpretation of other symbols and image content
In addition to land and sea scenes, a variety of other symbols and iconographic content often appeared in ancient Greek painted coffin paintings, such as mythological figures, sacrificial scenes, weapons and equipment, etc. The content of these symbols and images often carries rich cultural connotations and religious meanings. Depictions of mythological figures may suggest ancestors or patron saints of the deceased, sacrificial scenes may represent remembrance and remembrance of the deceased, and weaponry may suggest the bravery and fighting spirit of the deceased.
Through the interpretation of the content of these symbols and images, we can gain a deeper understanding of the ancient Greeks' cognition and expression of death, the afterlife, and religious beliefs, as well as their exploration and pursuit of the meaning of life. The existence of these images not only enriches the artistic expression of ancient Greek painted coffin paintings, but also provides important clues and enlightenment for us to understand ancient Greek religion and culture.
IV. The image structure of the binary juxtaposition and its meaning
A. Interpretation of the meaning of the Land of the Sun and Western Paradise
The pictorial structure of the Land of the Sun and the Western Paradise, which is common in painted coffin paintings of the late Bronze Age in ancient Greece, contains rich meanings. The Land of the Sun is often depicted as a bright, radiant place that represents light, life, and hope. In ancient Greek religion, the sun was seen as a sacred symbol, one of the symbols of Zeus, and also a symbol of the source of life and strength. As a result, depictions of the Land of the Sun often hint at the destination of the souls of the deceased, where they find peace and happiness in the afterlife.
The Western Paradise represents the ancient Greeks' beautiful yearning and ideal state for the afterlife. In ancient Greek mythology, Western Paradise was considered a place of happiness, a place of eternal happiness, a place of resting and rejoicing for the souls of the dead. In painted coffin paintings, Western Paradise is often depicted as a beautiful, serene scene, sometimes accompanied by mythological figures or gods, symbolizing the happiness and tranquility of the soul of the deceased in the afterlife.
The juxtaposition of the Land of the Sun and the Western Paradise embodies the ancient Greeks' complex perception and understanding of death and the afterlife. The Land of the Sun represents the destination of the soul and the continuation of life, and is a positive symbol, while the Western Paradise represents the ideal state of happiness and joy, a yearning and pursuit. Through this dualistic pictorial structure, ancient Greek painted coffin paintings convey an optimistic view of life and death and a beautiful expectation of the afterlife, bringing a sense of comfort and hope to the deceased and the living.
B. The juxtaposition between the land and the ocean
The juxtaposition of land and sea scenes, which often appears in ancient Greek painted coffin paintings, is also a symbolic expression. The land map often represents the life and civilization of human society and is an important place for human activities, while the ocean map symbolizes the mystery and power of nature, which is beyond the control of human beings. By juxtaposing two different images of land and sea in painted coffin paintings, the ancient Greeks expressed an awareness of the diversity of life and the complexity of the world.
In addition, the juxtaposition of the land map and the ocean picture also hints at the relationship between humans and nature and the reverence for nature. In the religious beliefs of the ancient Greeks, nature was seen as a divine being and had a close connection with human society. By juxtaposing land and sea scenes in painted coffins, the ancient Greeks expressed their awe for the forces of nature and their yearning for human beings to live in harmony with nature, as well as the idea of the coexistence of life and nature.
C. The ancient Greeks' perception and religious beliefs about the other world
The ancient Greeks' cognition and religious beliefs about the other world were fully expressed and displayed in the painted coffin paintings. Through the depiction of images such as the Land of the Sun, the Western Paradise, the land map, and the sea, the ancient Greeks expressed a complex understanding of the afterlife and a beautiful yearning.
They believe that after death, the soul will go to the land of the sun or the western paradise to find eternal peace and happiness, and at the same time, they are also aware of the diversity of life and the complexity of the world, and express their awe of the forces of nature and the yearning for human beings to live in harmony with nature.
V. The Relationship of Painted Coffin Painting with the Ancient Greek Mythological System
A. The embodiment of the myth of the other world in the painted coffin painting
As one of the important art forms in ancient Greek culture, painted coffin painting often reflects the mythological beliefs and yearning of the ancient Greeks for the other world. In painted coffin paintings, various characters and scenes from ancient Greek mythology often appear, such as Hades, the king of the underworld, Prometheus, Hercules, etc. These mythological figures are depicted on painted coffin paintings, not only to decorate the coffin, but more importantly to express the beautiful yearning for the afterlife and the belief in mythological stories.
Hades, the king of the underworld, is often depicted as a deity who presides over the fate of the deceased in painted coffin paintings, and his image appears on the coffin, symbolizing the fate of the soul of the deceased to the underworld after death. The image of Hades often appears with other mythological figures such as Eris, Charisma, Cerberus, etc., forming a colorful mythological scene in the painted coffin paintings, reflecting the mythological beliefs and beautiful aspirations of the ancient Greeks for the afterlife.
B. The relationship between elements of maritime culture and ancient Greek mythology
The elements of maritime culture that often appear in ancient Greek painted coffin paintings are closely related to ancient Greek mythology. In ancient Greek mythology, the sea was seen as a mysterious and sacred being, and sea gods such as Poseidon, the god of the sea, and Theia, the goddess of the sea, were believed to be in charge of the power and life of the sea, while also symbolizing the mystery and power of nature. In painted coffin paintings, elements of maritime culture are often depicted as waves, boats, sea creatures, etc., and appear alongside mythological figures such as Poseidon and Theia, reflecting the ancient Greeks' reverence for the forces of nature and belief in maritime mythology.
The relationship between maritime cultural elements and ancient Greek mythology is not only reflected in the image representation in painted coffin paintings, but also in the religious beliefs and cultural traditions of ancient Greeks. The ancient Greeks often used maritime mythology to explain natural phenomena and human fate, believing that the sea was a place where the gods lived, and that the sea gods were in charge of the order of the world and the fate of life. Therefore, the elements of maritime culture that appear in the painted coffin paintings of ancient Greece are not only to decorate and beautify the coffin, but more importantly, to reflect the ancient Greeks' awe of the power of nature and their belief in mythological stories.
C. The status and function of painted coffin painting in ancient Greek religion
Painted coffin paintings played an important role and function in ancient Greek religion. As a religious art form, painted coffin painting is not only used to decorate and beautify coffins, but more importantly, to express the ancient Greeks' beautiful yearning for the afterlife and the affirmation of religious beliefs. By depicting various mythological figures and scenes on the coffin, painted coffin paintings convey a sense of knowledge and understanding of death and the afterlife, bringing a sense of comfort and hope to the deceased and the living.
At the same time, painted coffin paintings also assume the function of a religious ritual and play an important role in the funeral rites of the ancient Greeks. In ancient Greek funeral ceremonies, painted coffin paintings were often used to decorate and cover the coffin as a sign of respect and remembrance of the deceased. At the same time, the mythological images and symbolism on the painted coffin paintings are also believed to protect the soul of the deceased and bring them to peace and happiness in the afterlife.
VI. Conclusion
Painted coffin paintings from the Late Bronze Age in ancient Greece were an important part of Mediterranean religious culture, and they were closely related to the popular religious beliefs of the time. First of all, images such as the Land of the Sun and the Western Paradise, which often appear in painted coffin paintings, reflect the ancient Greeks' beautiful yearning and religious beliefs about the afterlife. In Mediterranean religious cultures, belief in the afterlife is widespread, with the belief that the soul has an eternal destiny after death. Thus, the depiction of images such as the Land of the Sun and Western Paradise in painted coffin paintings is closely related to the belief in the afterlife in Mediterranean religious cultures.
Secondly, images such as land and sea scenes in painted coffin paintings also reflect the ancient Greeks' reverence for the power of nature and their yearning for human beings to live in harmony with nature, which is in line with the nature worship and mythological traditions of Mediterranean religious culture. In Mediterranean religious cultures, nature is seen as a divine being, and it is believed that there are supernatural forces and living souls in nature. Therefore, the natural picture in the painted coffin painting is closely related to nature worship in the Mediterranean religious culture, reflecting the ancient Greeks' reverence for nature and the expression of religious beliefs.
Author: Lu Xilin
Bibliography:
History of Europe
History of Western Art
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