The Study On The Classification Of Decorative Designs Of The Buddhist Caves In Mount Xiangtang

The caves of Mount Xiangtang were carved during the reign of Gao Yang, Emperor Wenyuan, in Northern Qi Dynasty, and were expanded successively in Sui, Tang, Song and Ming Dynasties. But the main images and statues were carved in Northern Qi Dynasty (550-577). They are the biggest cave legacy remained from Northern Qi Dynasty. During the first twenty to thirty years in Northern Qi, caves were built in a large scale in Mount Xiangtang and Tianlong, which promoted the development of China's ancient carving art and the advent of revolutionary styles.While the caves in Mount Tianlong were mostly damaged, those in Mount Xiangtang were kept relatively intact through damage, and the decorative designs in the caves were especially well protected. So, this study mainly focuses on the decorative designs in the caves of Mount Xiangtang. Built by royal families, the decorative designs were rich and concentrated, and were carved with consummate and graceful skills. The decorative designs constituted the mainstream of carving styles in Northern Qi. If we want to know the achievement of carving art of North Qi and its position in the history of Chinese decorative designs, we must make systematic and comprehensive study on the well-kept decorative designs in the caves of Mount Xiangtang.The aim of this study is to summarize the artistic features of the decorative designs in the caves of Mount Xiangtang, and classify these decorative designs, so as to trace the historical connection of decorative designs with Yungang Caves, Longmen Caves and Sui and Tang new carving styles. By exploring the development of Xiangtang decorative designs, their different sources and their interactions, and analyzing the evolution of various decorative designs, this study attempts to display the global features of cultural and artistic development in mediaeval times.