Stone carving is not just an art, it is more like a cultural memory and spiritual expression. Through thousands of years of wind and rain, these works of art carved in stone not only show the exquisite skills of the craftsmen, but also tell the legends of a period of history.
Today I will take a look at the 7 famous statues in China, let's take a look!
1. Leshan Giant Buddha
Located in Leshan City, Sichuan Province, the Big Buddha is 71 meters high, carved from 713 in the Tang Dynasty, and was not completed until 803 years later.
Standing at the foot of the Leshan Giant Buddha and looking up, you will be shocked by its huge body.
The Big Buddha is backed by green mountains, facing the three rivers where it gathers, and its sitting posture is steady and its expression is kind. It's not just an amazing display of engineering, it's also a unique work of art. Every fold of the Buddha's clothes and every strand of hair are meticulously carved and lifelike.
And in Buddhist art, the Leshan Giant Buddha is not just as simple as a Buddha statue. It is an incarnation of Maitreya Buddha and represents compassion and hope. For hundreds of years, pilgrims have come here to pray for blessings or to admire the grandeur of the Buddha, feeling a deep spiritual shock.
The Leshan Giant Buddha is not only the pride of Sichuan, but also a precious treasure of Chinese culture, its existence transcends the meaning of religion and becomes a bridge connecting the past and the future.
2. Mengshan Giant Buddha
It is located in the northwest of Sidi Village, Jinyuan District, Taiyuan City, Shanxi Province. The Giant Buddha was excavated in the Northern Wei Dynasty, using the natural rocks of the mountain, after hundreds of years of wind and rain, and witnessed countless historical changes.
The most special thing about this Buddha is its cliff-like design, that is, the entire Buddha statue is carved directly into the rock, with no independent base. From a distance, the Mengshan Giant Buddha is integrated with the mountain, as if it was naturally generated, giving people a solemn feeling. However, it is precisely because of this design that the Buddha is facing a serious weathering problem. Years of wind and rain erosion have blurred some details of the Buddha statue.
Mengshan Giant Buddha site exposed chest and neck part, 17.5 meters high, 25 meters wide, neck diameter 5 meters wide, Tang Dynasty record "200 feet high", according to the Tang Dynasty ordinary ruler calculation is about 63 meters today. In terms of height, the Mengshan Giant Buddha is the second largest Buddha in the world, and in terms of age, it is the world's earliest large-scale stone carved Buddha statue. The abdomen, hands, legs, feet, pedestal, and the remains of the Great Pavilion are all covered in the mud and stones on the hillside under the chest of the Buddha.
3. Statue of Chairman Mao at the head of Orange Island
Located in the middle of the Xiangjiang River in Changsha City, Hunan Province, at the tip of Orange Island. The statue was erected to commemorate the great leader Mao Zedong, especially his revolutionary activities in the youth of the region. Orange Island is not only the place where Chairman Mao wrote "Qinyuan Spring, Changsha" when he was young, but also an important birthplace of his ideological and political activities.
The statue depicts Mao Zedong in his youth, is 32 meters high, and the overall design is full of power and forward dynamics, fully embodying the ambition and leadership style of Chairman Mao's youth.
The sculpture is made of more than 8,000 pieces of Yongding red granite stones, showing an indomitable and strong will. The design of the whole sculpture is not only of profound historical significance, but also reflects the extremely high artistic value.
4. Statue of the Great Lushena
This majestic Buddha statue is located in the Longmen Grottoes in Luoyang City, Henan Province, in a nine-room cave on the southern side of the West Mountain.
The Longmen Grottoes are one of the four major grottoes in China, which were excavated after Emperor Xiaowen of the Northern Wei Dynasty moved the capital to Luoyang, and were continuously expanded and carved after several generations until the Tang Dynasty.
With a height of 17.14 meters, the statue of Dalushena is one of the most representative works in the Longmen Grottoes. Its head is broad, its ears are 1.9 meters long, its facial expression is solemn and peaceful, and its eyes are deep, as if it has insight into all the bitterness and happiness of the world.
The costumes of this Buddha statue are simple and solemn, and the clothing patterns are delicately depicted, smooth and natural, showing the superb skills of Tang Dynasty carving art. There are many small Buddha and Bodhisattva statues on the back and sides of the Buddha statue, and the overall layout is harmonious and layered.
The cultural influence of the statue is far-reaching, and it is not only an outstanding representative of Buddhist art, but also an important symbol of traditional Chinese culture. Its existence not only shows the high achievements of ancient Chinese sculpture art, but also is a historical witness of the integration and mutual learning between the Central Plains culture and foreign culture.
Literati and writers throughout the ages have been amazed by it, and countless poems and songs have mentioned this image, showing its important position in Chinese culture.
To this day, the statue remains a valuable resource for the study of Buddhist art, sculpture techniques and ancient architecture, and has also attracted countless domestic and foreign tourists to worship and admire, serving as a cultural bridge between the past and the present.
5. Zhuhai Fishergirl Statue
This iconic stone sculpture sits on the shores of the picturesque incense burner bay in Zhuhai, Guangdong Province, China.
The statue was designed and completed by the famous Chinese sculptor Pan He, who used granite stone to carefully assemble 70 large stones. Standing 8.7 meters tall and weighing 10 tons, the statue has become a calling card of Zhuhai since its construction in 1982.
The design of Zhuhai Fishergirl is inspired by Zhuhai's local fishing village culture and beautiful seaside landscape. The fisherwoman in the statue holds a sparkling pearl in both hands, symbolizing the richness and beauty of Zhuhai (the sea of pearls). This not only reflects the unique charm of Zhuhai as a coastal city, but also the openness and hospitality of the city to tourists from all over the world.
The surroundings are complemented by this statue, with the fisherwoman facing the city with her back to the vast South China Sea.
The coastline has been carefully planned to form the famous Lovers' Road, a scenic seaside promenade where visitors can take a stroll and enjoy the sea breeze while admiring the parks, art sculptures and islands in the distance. This end of Lovers' Road starts with the statue of the Fisherwoman, attracting countless photographers and couples to take photos here.
6. Statue of Zheng Chenggong
This magnificent sculpture stands at the southeast end of Gulangyu Island in Xiamen City, Fujian Province, China, and is surrounded by the sea on three sides. In 1985, on the occasion of the 361st anniversary of Zheng Chenggong's birth, the statue was inaugurated in honor of the national hero.
The statue itself is 15.7 meters high and 9.2 meters wide, weighs more than 1,400 tons, and is made up of 625 pieces of intricately carved white granite.
The design of the statue is full of power and movement, Zheng Chenggong is dressed in armor, with a sword in his hand, and his eyes are piercing, as if he is examining an incoming ship at sea, showing the heroism of his military leader. Each stone of the statue has been precisely spliced, showing exquisite sculptural skills and high artistic value.
6. Yungang Giant Buddha
Located in the west of Datong City, Shanxi Province, the Yungang Grottoes are one of the four famous grottoes in China.
The Yungang Grottoes are built on the natural rock wall of Wuzhou Mountain, which was excavated in 460 years during the Northern Wei Dynasty and represents the peak of early Chinese Buddhist art. This geographical location not only has the advantage of natural protection, but also the surrounding resources are abundant, which provides convenience for the excavation and carving of the grottoes.
The Yungang Giant Buddha, also known as the Buddha statue of the fifth cave of Yungang, is one of the most representative Buddha statues in this area.
The Buddha is 17 meters high, with a solemn face and solemn gestures, fully demonstrating the Buddha's compassion and wisdom. The costumes and decorations of this Buddha statue are rich in detail, reflecting the artistic style of the Northern Wei Dynasty, especially the smooth lines of the folds and the delicate depiction of expressions, which all demonstrate the exquisite skill of carving art at that time. The solemnity and sacredness of the Buddha statue provide profound religious significance and spiritual comfort for believers.
Since 1961, when it was announced by the State Council as a national key cultural relics protection unit, and then in 2001, it was listed as a world cultural heritage by UNESCO, and the protection of Yungang Grottoes has been continuously strengthened.
Conservation measures include limiting the number of visitors, preventing natural and man-made factors, and using modern technology for the maintenance and restoration of grottoes and Buddha statues.
The Yungang Grottoes have now become an important window for the promotion of traditional Chinese culture and Buddhist art. This not only promotes the development of the local economy, but more importantly, increases public awareness and respect for the importance of cultural heritage.
The above is today's inventory of China's 7 major figures, are they all very shocking, which ones have you seen? Do you know which famous statues? Welcome to leave a message in the comment area, let's talk together.