Journal of Global Change Data & Discovery2021.5(4):460-469

[PDF] [DATASET]

Citation:He, T. T.Content and Composition of Woodcarvings of Immortals Dataset in Luoyang Folk Museum[J]. Journal of Global Change Data & Discovery,2021.5(4):460-469 .DOI: 10.3974/geodp.2021.04.10 .

Content and Composition of Woodcarvings of Immortals in Luoyang Folk Museum

He, T. T.

Luoyang Folk Museum, Luoyang, 471000, China

 

Abstract: The image of immortal woodcarvings in Luoyang Folk Museum refers to the data digitized from the physical collections housed in Luoyang Folk Museum, including: (1) a set of pictures of immortal woodcarvings, consisting of pictures of statues of 27 statues of Wealth God, 8 statues of Guan, Yu, 17 statues of Door God, 5 statues of Mountain God, 4 statues of Thunder God, 36 statues of Land God, 3 statues of Kitchen God, 3 statues of Lord Ma, 71 statues of Guanyin, 29 statues of Lao-tzu and 7 statues of Lu-tsu; (2) statistical table of immortal woodcarvings, covering name, filing code, size, texture, age, quantity and thumbnail, etc. The dataset is archived in. jpg and pdf in data formats, and consisted of 211 files with data size of 1.42 GB (compressed into 4 files, with 1.41 GB in size).

Keywords: woodcarving; portrait of characters; immortal

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3974/geodp.2021.04.10

CSTR: https://cstr.escience.org.cn/CSTR:20146.14.2021.04.10

Dataset Availability Statement:

The dataset supporting this paper was published and is accessible through the Digital Journal of Global Change Data Repository at: https://doi.org/10.3974/geodb.2021.07.04.V1or https://cstr.escience.org.cn/CSTR:20146.11.2021.07.04.V1.

1 Introduction

In order to build Luoyang Lao-tzu Memorial Hall, Luoyang Folk Museum began to collect cultural relics related to Lao-tzu from 2011 to 2013, and finally obtained more than 1,000 woodcarving statues of Buddhism, Taoism and Jiaxian and others. Most of these woodcarving statues are from private sources, represented by more than 200 Taoist statues.

In terms of the time of origination, these woodcarvings of immortal statues would be traced back as early as to Yuan dynasty, then developed from Ming dynasty to the era of the Republic of China. Especially in Qing dynasty, it saw a golden period of its development. Among the modes of the spread of Chinese deity and Buddha culture by writing, traditional opera singing, sculpture and grotto carving, and family??s sacrifice offering, the way of offering is most popular in terms of worshipper quantity and scope, which is unprecedentedly seen during the Ming and Qing Dynasties[1]. From the matter of the subject, these statues are mostly woodcarvings of immortals relevant to Buddhism, Taoism, especially Taoism and others. For the intended meaning of the expressions, these statues of woodcarving statues are mostly made to convey the best wishes of the working people, such as bringing peace to the family, offering more sons and the more blessings, making a good fortune, living a long life and so on. With a sense of religious belief, they are a true portrayal of the people??s spiritual life at that time, useful for studying the folk life, religious belief and woodcarving art of that time.

2 Metadata of the Dataset

The metadata of Wood carving figures dataset of immortals and gods archived in Luoyang Folk Museum[2] is summarized in Table 1. It includes the dataset full name, short name, author, year of the dataset, data format, data size, data publisher, and data sharing policy, etc.

 

Table 1  Metadata summary of Wood carving figures dataset of immortals and gods archived in Luoyang Folk Museum

Items

Description

Dataset full name

Wood carving figures dataset of immortals and gods archived in Luoyang Folk Museum

Dataset short name

WoodCarvingFigures_LYFM

Author

He, T. T., Luoyang Folk Museum,1004752190@qq.com.

Location

Shanxi, Henan

Year

Qing dynasty (1636?C1912).

Data format

.jpg, .pdf

Data Siz

1.42 GB

Data publisher

Global Change Research Data Publishing & Repository, http://www.geodoi.ac.cn

Address

No. 11A, Datun Road, Chaoyang District, Beijing 100101, China

Data sharing policy

 

Data from the Global Change Research Data Publishing & Repository includes metadata, datasets (in the Digital Journal of Global Change Data Repository), and publications (in the Journal of Global Change Data & Discovery). Data sharing policy includes: (1) Data are openly available and can be free downloaded via the Internet; (2) End users are encouraged to use Data subject to citation; (3) Users, who are by definition also value-added service providers, are welcome to redistribute Data subject to written permission from the GCdataPR Editorial Office and the issuance of a Data redistribution license; and (4) If Data are used to compile new datasets, the ??ten per cent principal?? should be followed such that Data records utilized should not surpass 10% of the new dataset contents, while sources should be clearly noted in suitable places in the new dataset[3]

Communication and searchable system

DOI, CSTR, Crossref, DCI, CSCD, CNKI, SciEngine, WDS/ISC, GEOSS

3 Main Content of the Dataset 

This dataset refers to the collection of the digitized woodcarving statues collected by Luoyang Folk Museum, totaling 210 woodcarvings of immortal statues collected from 2011 to 2013, which would be traced back as early as to Yuan dynasty, Ming dynasty, Qing dynasty till the era of the Republic of China. In the data is specified the name, archive code, size, texture, age and quantity of woodcarving statues, which are further divided into 3 categories and 11 subcategories. To be specific, the data is comprised of pictures of 27 statues of Wealth God, 8 statues of Guan, Yu, 17 statues of god of door, 5 statues of Mountain God, 4 statues of Thunder God, 36 statues of Land God, 3 statues of Kitchen God, 3 statues of Lord Ma, 71 statues of Guanyin, 29 statues of Lao-tzu and 7 statues of Lu-tsu (Table 2, Figure 1-3, Table 3, Figure 4-6).

Most of the immortal statues collected in Luoyang Folk Museum have been carved in the Ming and Qing Dynasties when small woodcarving statues were extremely popular. Among the colorful works of art of Ming and Qing Dynasties in China, nothing can be widely spread like traditional woodcarvings, which appeal to both the more and the less cultured, including the upper class from the royal palace, temple, governmental department, villa residence of the superrich and down to the common people??s living room. It is unprecedented that such a large number of woodcarvings have been passed down to this day[1].

 

Table 2  Classification of Woodcarving Figures in Luoyang Folk Museum

Type

Wealth-related

Nature-related

Baby- blessing goddess

Total

Gods of wealth

Guan, Yu

Lao-tzu

Lord Ma

Lu-tsu

Kitchen God

Mountain God

Door God

Thunder God

Land God

Guanyin

Quantity

27

8

29

3

7

3

5

17

4

36

71

210

3.1 Worshipping of God of Wealth in Hope of Making More Money and Protect the Earnings

Caishen, widely worshipped by Chinese folks, is a god of wealth in charge of money making. In ancient times, it was often placed indoors that could bless people with money pouring in from all sides. Until today, such belief of Wealth God still exists widely among folks. There are two categories of statues collected by Luoyang Folk Museum, with one for civil Caishen represented by Bigan and another for martial Caishen by Zhao, Gongming and Guan, Yu.

The woodcarving of the civil Caishen collected in Luoyang Folk Museum is represented by Bigan statue, which is dressed in a Kylin robe and wears a black gauze cap custom-made for prime minister and five beams of beards, and holds symbols of wealth of a gold ingot or the Ruyi silver ingots under his feet. Bigan statue looks serious but delicate, with the typical dress-up of civil officer. According to a legend, Bigan, the uncle and prime minister of King Zhou of Shang dynasty, pleaded with King Zhou not to do offer the oppressive political ruling. Refused by the king, Bigan threatened him with death. Historical Records of Song, Weizi Family reads ??Bigan, a relative of King Zhou, seeing Jizi enslaved due to his bold speaking in defense of justice, said that the people would suffer if the king did not listen to his minsters?? advice, and bluntly remonstrated with King Zhou. He became furious and intimidated Bigan by saying ??do you believe there are seven orifices on the heart of a saint??? King Zhou killed Bigan and dug out his heart.??[4]. A legend has it that Bigan, with no greed for money, did not die even with no heart, and was named the civil god of wealth in charge of the world??s earnings. His statue in the museum looks gentle and quiet of disposition, and his noble qualities of loyalty, integrity and selflessness are kept deeply in the hearts of the working people, which represents the aspirations of people to live an affluent life by making more money. Therefore, the woodcarving follows the image of Bigan and became the civil god of wealth. Up to now, the picture of Bigan, the civil god of wealth, is still very popular during the period of Chinese Spring festival.

               

 

  Figure 1  Door God (002144)   Figure 2  Door God (002324)     Figure 3  Wealth God (002290)

 

Table 3  List of collections

No.

Name

Code

No.

Name

Code

1

Woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God

002030

30

Woodcarving figure of Mountain God

001773

2

Woodcarving statue of martial Wealth God

002163

31

Woodcarving figure of Mountain God (male)

001908

3

Woodcarving statue of martial Wealth God

002164

32

Woodcarving statue of Mountain God

002542

4

Woodcarving statue of martial Wealth God

002165

33

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002141

5

Martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002287

34

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002142

6

Martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002288

35

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002143

7

Martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002290

36

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002144

8

Martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002291

37

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002145

9

Martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002292

38

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002146

10

Martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002318

39

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002147

11

Martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002319

40

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002148

12

Colored woodcarving figure of Wealth God

002341

41

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002149

13

Colored woodcarving figure of Wealth God

002361

42

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002150

14

Colored woodcarving figure of Wealth God

002404

43

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002160

15

Woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002445

44

Door God

002249

16

Woodcarving golden figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002446

45

Woodcarving statue of Door God

002324

17

Colored woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002447

46

Colored woodcarving statue of Door God

002502

18

Colored woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002448

47

Colored woodcarving statue of Door God

002503

19

Woodcarving golden figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002449

48

Colored woodcarving statue of Door God

002504

20

Woodcarving golden figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002453

49

Colored woodcarving statue of Door God

002505

21

Woodcarving golden figure of Wealth God

002464

50

Woodcarving statue of Thunder God

002151

22

Colored woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002490

51

Woodcarving statue of Thunder God

002152

23

Colored woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002491

52

Woodcarving statue of Thunder God

002153

24

Colored woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002493

53

Woodcarving statue of Thunder God

002162

25

Colored woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002494

54

Woodcarving statue of Land God

001975

26

Colored woodcarving figure of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming

002574

55

Woodcarving statue of Land God

001976

27

Woodcarving statue of Wealth God

002909

56

Woodcarving statue of Land God

001977

28

Woodcarving figure of Mountain God

001739

57

Woodcarving statue of Land God

001978

29

Woodcarving figure of Mountain God

001764

58

Woodcarving statue of Land God

001979

(To be continued on the next page)

(Continued)

No.

Name

Code

No.

Name

Code

59

Woodcarving statue of Land God

001980

 96

Statue of Avaloktesvar

002281

60

Woodcarving statue of Land God

001981

 97

Statue of Avaloktesvar

002282

61

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002034

 98

Statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002325

62

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002085

 99

Statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002326

63

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002086

100

Statue of Avaloktesvar

002335

64

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002087

101

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002412

65

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002088

102

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar (golden-surfaced)

002450

66

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002089

103

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002470

67

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002090

104

Colored woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002472

68

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002091

105

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002482

69

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002092

106

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002483

70

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002093

107

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002484

71

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002094

108

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002485

72

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002095

109

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002486

73

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002096

110

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002487

74

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002097

111

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002488

75

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002098

112

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002489

76

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002099

113

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002532

77

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002100

114

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002533

78

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002101

115

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar (golden-surfaced, two pieces)

002534

79

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002102

116

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002535

80

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002103

117

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002536

81

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002159

118

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002537

82

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002161

119

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002568

83

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002243

120

Colored woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002570

84

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002244

121

Colored woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002573

85

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002245

122

Woodcarving statue of sitting Avaloktesvar(with niche)

002633

86

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002336

123

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002634

87

Woodcarving figure of Land God

002353

124

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar(golden-surfaced)

002635

88

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002512

125

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002636

89

Woodcarving statue of Land God

002513

126

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002670

90

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar
(2 pieces)

002028

127

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002672

91

Woodcarving statues of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar, pure youth and maiden

002106

128

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002673

92

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002166

129

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002674

93

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002193

130

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002676

94

Statue of Avaloktesvar

002274

131

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002678

95

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002275

132

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002681

(To be continued on the next page)

(Continued)

No.

Name

Code

No.

Name

Code

133

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002682

172

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002499

134

Colored woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002683

173

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002543

135

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002725

174

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu holding The Tao Te Ching

002889

136

Statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar (golden-surfaced)

002745

175

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002895

137

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002752

176

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002896

138

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002753

177

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002900

139

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002756

178

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002904

140

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002760

179

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002912

141

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002761

180

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002915

142

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002762

181

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002916

143

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002764

182

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002918

144

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002768

183

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002927

145

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002769

184

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002928

146

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002771

186

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

003159

147

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002772

185

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu (Luo, Yongqing)

003158

148

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002773

187

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

003160

149

Woodcarving statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar

002777

188

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

003163

150

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002804

189

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

003199

151

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002805

190

Colored woodcarving statue of Lord Ma

002473

152

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

002932

191

Colored woodcarving statue of Lord Ma

002474

153

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

003026

192

Colored woodcarving statue of Lord Ma

002501

154

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

003166

193

Woodcarving statue of Lu-tsu

001946

155

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

003167

194

Woodcarving statue of Taoist Lu-tsu

001990

156

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

003168

195

Statue of Lu-tsu

002279

157

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

003169

196

Statue of Lu-tsu

002280

158

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

003285

197

Woodcarving statue of Lu-tsu

002323

159

Woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

003387

198

Woodcarving statue of Lu-tsu

002539

160

Colored woodcarving statue of Avaloktesvar

003392

199

Colored statue of Lu-tsu(golden-surfaced)

002554

161

Statue of Lao-tzu

002276

200

Memorial tablet of Kitchen God

001091

162

Statue of Lao-tzu

002277

201

Statue of Kitchen God and Goddess

002211

163

Painted Buddha statue of Lao-tzu

002321

202

Woodcarving statue of Kitchen God

002575

164

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002452

203

Woodcarving statue of Guan, Yu

001951

165

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu (golden-surfaced)

002455

204

Woodcarving statue of Guan, Yu

002031

166

Woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu (golden-surfaced)

002457

205

Colored statue of Guan, Yu

002209

167

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002460

206

Colored statue of Land God (golden-surfaced)

002357

168

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002495

207

Woodcarving statue of Guan, Yu

002360

169

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002496

208

Colored woodcarving statue of Guan, Yu

002408

170

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002497

209

Woodcarving statue of Guan, Yu

002511

171

Colored woodcarving statue of Lao-tzu

002498

210

Woodcarving statue of Guan, Yu

00888

 

Zhao, Gongming, known as martial god of wealth, is also worth noting. Luoyang Folk Museum holds the largest number of statues of martial Wealth God Zhao, Gongming. As a legendary figure in the folklore, Zhao can be found in fairy tales in many ancient books like In Search of the Supernatural, Origin of Three Religions, etc. However, his public image of being the martial god of wealth is actually derived from Creation of the Gods, written in Ming dynasty. Zhao, Gongming was regarded as a god and Jiang Ziya named him Blessing God supervising four deities who bless people with different forms of luck and wealth.

The woodcarvings of Zhao, Gongming collected in Luoyang Folk Museum are just a small share of the Wealth God in Qing dynasty. At that time, the god of wealth was enshrined and worshipped in almost every household during Qing dynasty. As the god in charge of financial resources in folklore, Zhao, Gongming became an embodiment for the Chinese working people to have a good fortune and achieve every success.

Luoyang Folk Museum has a collection of woodcarving statues of Guan, Yu, another martial god of wealth. Dressed in broad robe and jade belt, Guan, Yu had a martial bearing and thick eyebrows, reading The Spring and Autumn Annals while sitting or holding broadsword while standing. Guan, Yu was loyal and brave all his life, not greedy for gold and silver so that he was worshipped by the followers of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. After Guan, Yu??s death, the people honored Guan, Yu as Guangong, and many imperial courts in the past dynasties sang high praise for him. The carving of Guan, Yu?? statues are mostly funded by the government while Zhao, Gongming??s carvings are supported by civilians. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, Guan, Yu was regarded as the King of martial art and Saint of war. Making use of the people??s firm belief in Guangong, the rulers of feudal society portrayed him as the defender of the ethics of feudal society. Therefore, they repaired the Guandi Temple extensively while vigorously publicized and advocated him as a model of loyalty and courage.

 

 

Figure 4  Statue of Guan, Yu (002209)

 

Figure 5  Statue of Kitchen God (002211)

 

Figure 6  Statue of Wealth God (002494)

 

Most of these woodcarving statues of Guangong collected in Luoyang Folk Museum were dated back to Ming and Qing Dynasties. Guangong was regarded by folks as a mascot good at money making and saving. Reading The Spring and Autumn Annals while sitting or holding broadsword while standing represents that Guangong is well versed in both literature and military affairs. For this reason, businessmen often worship Guangong in expectation of making big money by their learning.  

3.2 Statue of Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvara

There are a total of 71 pieces or sets of the sitting statue of Avaloktesvara collected in Luoyang Folk Museum, most of which are small and medium-sized woodcarving works (Figure 7). The statues, holding a baby sitting or standing, always look quiet and solemn, gentle and beautiful, leisurely and easy. 

 

Figure 7  Baby-blessing Goddess Avaloktesvar (002106)

After the Ming dynasty, there were folk stories in Buddhism that Avaloktesvara taught her disciples Shancai and Daughter of the Dragon, from then on, Shancai and Daughter of the Dragon always come out in the meantime, implying to bring good luck and happiness to people. The statue of Avaloktesvara sending a child witnesses the secularization and looks like female folk so that she becomes approachable, gentle, quiet and popular among the people. In the feudal society, many people went to temples to make wishes for having a large family or having more sons in front of the statue of Avaloktesvara.

Most of these woodcarvings collected in Luoyang Folk Museum are of small size, which are easy to carry and put in order for individual families. It can be seen that the belief in Avaloktesvara sending a child has been deeply rooted in the hearts of the people, and the Guanyin worshipping of human reproduction has been passed down from generation to generation.

3.3 Worshipping Earth God, Mountain God, Raytheon and Dragon King for Peace

There are statues of 5 Mountain Gods, 4 Thunder Gods and 36 Land Gods collected in Luoyang Folk Museum (Figure 8-10). These gods in terms of natural elements such as land, mountains and thunder are worshipped for the reason that people have faith in the force of nature in feudal society in hope of these natural gods blessing them safe and sound.

 

 

Figure 8  Mountain
God (002542)

 

Figure 9  Woodcarving Statue of Thunder God (002162)

 

Figure 10  Land Lord
(002034)

Land God, known as the guardian of people??s wellbeing, is one of the immortals for folks in ancient times, extremely popular in spite of its low status in Taoist deity system. The worship of Land God began and prevailed in the Ming dynasty, which is closely related to the birth of Zhu, Yuanzhang, the first emperor of the Ming dynasty, in the land temple. In the feudal society, people showed high respect for monarchy and farmed the land for food and clothing. Therefore, the temple of local god of the land and statues has been built all around to show the locals?? worship of Land Gods. The statues of these Land Gods collected in Luoyang Folk Museum are mostly of the civil officers or elders, holding a walking stick, or a Ruyi, Yuanbao and so on. They look kind in face and plain in clothes. These woodcarving statues are dressed like ancient landlords, with hats on their heads and two pieces of cloth at the brim drooping over their shoulders. Generally speaking, they wear plain clothes, with round and plump faces, slightly narrowed eyes and a kind smile. Some of these woodcarvings of the Land God are enshrined either in the temple or in people??s home. Such practice embodies people??s worship of the land, and they expect it to bring good luck and harvest for farmers, to come first in the highest imperial examination and to get rich and prosperous for businessmen.

In addition, there are 29 statues of Lao-tzu??s, 7 Lu-tsu??s, 3 horse lords and 3 Kitchen Gods stored in Luoyang Folk Museum (Figure 11-13).

 

 

Figure 11  Statue of Lao-tzu (002457)

 

Figure 12  Statue of Lu-tsu (002280)

 

Figure 13  Statue of Lord Ma (002474)

4 Conclusion

If the history is likened as a river, a museum should be a bridge, which would connect the present with the past and be very forward-looking. The worshippers of immortals are always very superstitious due to the backward productivity in feudal society. It is a common belief in immortals for the ancients, which should be called the faith in the instinctive survival rather than the faith in a primitive religion. Such belief can help people to conquer the fear of death[1].  The working people in the past don??t know how to get through the long night and how to face birth, senility, illness and death, hence they embody their way of thinking in immortals, and hope that the gods of nature can bless the good weather, safeness and smoothness, and the life of wealth and happiness.

These woodcarving statues have provided physical evidence for today??s people to understand people??s living conditions, folk customs and spiritual beliefs in a specific period of the history. To conquer the fear of death, people should be provided with the firm belief in the solidity and indestructibility of human life[5]. On the other hand, there is a high artistic value for these precious historical artifacts, from which the carving techniques, unique plastic arts, selection and preservation of raw materials are all worthy of in-depth study.

 

Acknowledgements

All the woodcarvings and pictures included in this collection come from Luoyang Folk Museum, and are exhibited in Lao-tzu Memorial Hall in Luoyang. Under the supervision of Honorary Director of Luoyang Folk Museum and senior museologist Wang, Z. S., the author has finally completed the studies on the data. Hereby, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to them.

 

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

References

[1]      Xia, F. Folk Woodcarvings and Patterns (Statue Volume) [M]. Hangzhou: Zhejiang University Press, 2004.

[2]      He, T. T. Wood carving figures dataset of immortals and gods archived in Luoyang Folk Museum [J/DB/OL]. Digital Journal of Global Change Data Repository, 2021. https://doi.org/10.3974/geodb. 2021.

07.04.V1. https://cstr.escience.org.cn/CSTR:20146.11.2021.07.04.V1.

[3]      GCdataPR Editorial Office. GCdataPR data sharing policy [OL]. https://doi.org/10.3974/dp.policy.2014.05 (Updated 2017).

[4]      Sima, Q. Historical Records (I) [M]. Shenyang: Wanjuan Publishing Company, 2016: 205.

[5]      Cassirer. An Essay on Man [M]. Shanghai: Shanghai Translation Publishing House, 2013:110.

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