Decorative Patterns - Mogao Caves

Rich and diverse decorative pattern paintings are primarily used for the decoration of grotto architecture, as well as for the adornment of tablecloths, ceremonial robes, and various objects. Decorative patterns vary with the times, undergoing countless transformations, and are characterized by superb painting skills and abundant imagination. The main types of pattern paintings include ceiling patterns, inter-beam patterns, and border patterns.

Mythical Creatures

• Blue Bird：The messenger of the Queen Mother of the West, symbolizing happiness and auspiciousness, and also used to convey longing.

-Western Wei - Mogao Caves, Cave 249

• Winged Horse：Often depicted dancing with immortals and feathered humans, embodying a beautiful aspiration for freedom.

- Western Wei - Mogao Caves, Cave 249

• Guardian Dragon：Protecting wealth and the continuity of blessings.

- High Tang - Yulin Caves, Cave 25

• Nine-Colored Divine Deer：Symbolizing auspiciousness and beauty.

- Northern Wei - Mogao Caves, Cave 257, Mural - Partial "Deer King Jataka"

Animals

• Dragon

- Sui Dynasty - Mogao Caves, Cave 204, West Niche, North Slope - Dragon in the Void

- Early Tang - Mogao Caves, Cave 329 - Flying Immortal Riding a Dragon 

• Phoenix：Phoenix patterns in Dunhuang murals mainly appear on the clothing and headdresses of figures, as well as on canopies, niche lintels, ceilings, and the decoration of some objects, occasionally also appearing in sutra transformation paintings.

- Western Wei - Mogao Caves, Cave 249 - Immortal Riding a Phoenix on the South Slope of the Chariot

- Western Wei - Mogao Caves, Cave 249 - Phoenix Birds Flying in Opposite Directions on the East Slope

- Western Wei - Mogao Caves, Cave 288 - Phoenix Bird Lotus Honeysuckle Pattern on the Front Slope

• Blue Lion：The blue lion, the mount of Manjushri Bodhisattva, is adorned with beads, carries a lotus throne on its back, and has a wide-open mouth as if roaring fiercely, exuding an air of majesty. Each of the blue lion's four feet steps on a lotus flower, and the Kunlun slave guiding the lion stands with legs apart, pulling the reins tightly with both hands.

- Sui Dynasty - Mogao Caves, Cave 292 - Double Lion Picture 

• Rabbit：The "Three Hares Sharing One Ear" pattern in Cave 407 features three rabbits with their ears connected, running in the same direction, touching each other but never catching up. In traditional Chinese culture, the concept of "one begets two, two beget three, and three beget all things" suggests that the three rabbits sharing three ears and forming a circle symbolize cycles of continuity, endless life, and auspicious completeness. This pattern of three interconnected ears has been found in medieval churches in the UK, on Mongolian metalware, and in Chinese Sui Dynasty temples built between the 6th and 7th centuries. This design is almost ubiquitous along the ancient Silk Road across Eurasia, including Central Asia, West Asia, and Europe. It is unclear how the three-hares pattern reached the West, but the most plausible explanation is that it was present on Eastern precious silks used in Western medieval churches to wrap relics, cover altars, and make vestments. 
• Parrot：Parrots are considered auspicious birds that bring good fortune. They are beloved for their bright, gem-like feathers and their ability to mimic human speech. Parrot images first appeared in the murals of the Northern Dynasties in the Mogao Caves, primarily for decorative purposes.

- Early Tang - Mogao Caves, Cave 45 - Parrot on Lotus

• Peacock：Since the Han Dynasty, peacocks began to be introduced to the Central Plains as tribute, and with the spread and development of Buddhism, the concept of "peacocks carrying scriptures, parrots reciting verses" became deeply rooted in people's minds, and the image of the peacock gradually became popular in the Central Plains. In Dunhuang murals, peacock images often appear in decorative patterns and sutra transformation stories, with various lively and vivid forms.

 - Early Tang - Mogao Caves, Cave 332 - Double Peacocks

Plants

Lotus,Baoxiang Hua, Honeysuckle, Hollyhock, Camellia, Grape, Pomegranate, Peony, etc.

• Lotus：In Buddhism, the lotus symbolizes the transition from defilement to purity, representing cleanliness, sanctity, and auspiciousness. It is a common motif in Dunhuang Buddhist murals. Bodhisattvas are often depicted standing on lotus flowers, sitting on lotus thrones, or holding lotus flowers, and there are many decorative lotus patterns, which are highly ornamental and artistically valuable. The lotus is an important form of expression in Dunhuang art, symbolizing purity and transcendence, and can be used as an amulet for auspiciousness and protection.

- Early Tang - Mogao Caves, Cave 329 - "Lotus Flying Apsaras Ceiling Pattern"

The ceiling of the cave is painted with a light blue background, symbolizing the boundless sky. At the center, a large lotus flower is in full bloom, surrounded by 14 rolled-petal lotuses and 14 scrolled cloud patterns, creating a highly rotational floral design.

Around the lotus, four flying apsaras holding flowers are dancing gracefully. Their ribbons flutter against the blue sky, like freely soaring fairies. The surrounding floating clouds give the impression of a breeze, filling the entire scene with a mysterious and beautiful otherworldly atmosphere.

The outer part of the ceiling is decorated with exquisite scroll patterns, linked bead patterns, and curtain decorations, while the four slopes are filled with thousands of Buddhas, symbolizing the boundlessness and compassion of Buddhist law.

- Western Wei -Mogao Caves, Cave 249- Lotus Musician Child

- Tang- Mogao Caves, Cave 97-Scattering Flower Child Apsaras

- Western Xia - Mogao Caves, Cave 307-Child Apsaras

• Baoxiang Hua (Treasure Phase Flower)：Baoxiang Hua is not a real flower but an "ideal flower," an imaginative pattern that combines the beautiful characteristics of many plants. It can be seen as a totem created by ancient people. Its radial symmetrical structure symbolizes solemnity and perfection. In Dunhuang murals, Baoxiang Hua patterns are often used to decorate ceilings, showcasing the splendor and prosperity of Buddhist art with their gorgeous and complex designs and colors.
• Baoxiang Hua is endowed with profound symbolic meanings. It represents not only femininity, love, vitality, and creativity but has also evolved into a symbol of wealth, auspiciousness, sanctity, and completeness.

• Honeysuckle：Commonly known as honeysuckle, this plant is named for its medicinal properties and its ability to withstand winter without withering. The repetitive, symmetrical, and gracefully curved images of honeysuckle, along with its characteristic of not withering in winter, align with the Buddhist concept of reincarnation. It frequently appears in Dunhuang murals, especially in niche lintels and borders, symbolizing multiple blessings and longevity.

• Hollyhock：Hollyhock is a flower that blooms in the morning and falls in the evening, representing the beauty and brevity of life. The red hollyhock also signifies gentleness and can be given to a loved one or a female friend to compliment her gentle nature. In Dunhuang murals, hollyhock patterns are extensively used in decorative designs and as bouquets held by donors.

- Mid-Tang Dynasty - Mogao Caves, Cave 159 - Manjushri Bodhisattva holding a hollyhock 

Of course, the plants depicted in Dunhuang murals are not limited to these. Lilies, pine trees, Curcuma zedoaria, ashoka trees, and auspicious grass have all been immortalized by the artists on the millennium murals. Whether realistically portrayed or recreated, they are diverse and become the focus of their times.

Patterns

These decorative patterns not only enrich the artistic expression of the Mogao Caves but also reflect the aesthetic tastes and cultural integration of the society at the time. They include flame patterns, linked bead patterns, scroll patterns, round flower patterns, semi-round flower patterns, diamond patterns, scale patterns, and drooping corner patterns, among others.

• Lotus Patterns

• Cloud and Mist Patterns：The use of cloud patterns in Dunhuang murals has unique forms and characteristics in different periods. These variations reflect the artistic styles and aesthetic concepts of different historical stages. Cloud patterns symbolize elevation and satisfaction, representing auspicious designs. Their flowing and graceful, as well as their interlocking and crisscrossing structures, demonstrate the Chinese nation's love and pursuit of fluid forms.

• Round Flower Patterns：See the round flower ceiling in the natural flora and fauna ceiling category.