一幅珍貴的唐長安夜間樂舞圖 -- 以莫高窟第220窟藥師經變樂舞圖中燈為中心的解讀=A Valuable Picture of an Evening Music and Dancing Scene in Chang’an -- An Interpretation Focusing on the Lamps in the Music and Dancing Scene of the Bhaisajyaguru Sutra Illustration in Mogao Cave 220
Dunhuang wall paintings exhibit a history of images. As image documents, Dunhuang caves have been first-hand material for interpreting medieval history. The large-scaled music and dancing scene in the Bhaisajyaguru sutra illustration in Mogao Cave 220 depicts a scene of Buddhist paradise. However, a close association between the art source and social life, without considering Buddhist illusory and artistic elements,suggests that one of the three luxurious lamps is an exact representation of the Chinese lunar lantern festival in Chang ’ an in the Tang dynasty, and can also be regarded as a large-scale dinner party showing the emperor meeting his ministers, the banquets held by noble or official families, or the various night music and dancing scenes in Chang ’ an or Luoyang in the Tang dynasty. These wall paintings are of important value for historical research.
