Research On The Model And Costume Art Of Flying Apsaras In Dunhuang Frescoes

In the spread process of Buddhism, the art of flying Apsaras, which is attached toBuddhism, also entered in China. In Mogao Caves of Dunhuang District, GansuProvince, China, Dunhuang flying Apsaras in the frescoes contains a significance ofcondensed culture essence of Chinese nation over millennia. As time goes by and withdynasty changes, flying Apsaras art of Dunhuang has been evolving continuously.With a strong vitality and unique charm, it affects people’s expectation and pursuit ofthe ideal state.China is one of the oldest civilizations. Cultural connotation and historicalaccumulation are precious possessions of Chinese people. In the cultural field ofChinese nation, flying Apsaras of Dunhuang is unique and typical. From theperspective of model, flying Apsaras of Dunhuang reflects people’s unique definitionto beauty, and its development has an epochal significance. Chinese wisdomconcentrates into the image of flying Apsaras showing our forefathers’ wonderfuldream of soaring freely. It has a great significance for Chinese national culturalinheritance, and its value and meaning should be savored and interpreted attentively.The paper studies the flying Apsaras in Dunhuang frescoes from model andcostume, and analyzes the image and costume of flying Apsaras in Dunhuang frescoesin details considering history and contemporary culture. The paper also makes adetailed analysis on costume in terms of type, style, manner of dressing and matchingeffect, and summarizes different styles and matching effects of flying Apsaras’costume to compare with flying Apsaras images in other areas.The whole paper analyzes the model and costume of Dunhuang flying Apsaras infour key chapters. The first chapter introduces the cultural origin and historicalevolution of flying Apsaras, elaborates the characteristics of flying Apsaras indifferent areas and countries, analyzes flying Apsaras’ historical background andevolution process at different stages, and introduces how flying Apsaras entered intoChina. The second key chapter focuses on the flying Apsaras in the Mogao Caves ofDunhuang and analyzes the model and costumes. The analysis is made in details fromdifferent dynasties including the Northern and Southern Dynasties, Sui and TangDynasties, the Five Dynasties and Song Dynasties in terms of gesture, model, clothingand accessories. Because the flying Apsaras in Sui and Tang Dynasties is very richand exquisite, it is summed up in chart. The third and fourth key chapters mainlyanalyze the perfect combination of costume and model of Dunhuang flying Apsaras,and summarize flying Apsaras’ costume matching patterns by drawing and describing. At last, these chapters analyze Dunhuang flying Apsaras’ artistic beauty from variousaspects and its effect to modern design.The paper analyzes and summarizes models and costumes of Dunhuang flyingApsaras in different times, sums up various costume matching patterns, improvespeople’s knowledge on flying Apsaras’ image and costume, and analyzes theinspiration brought by traditional model and dressing art to modern design. I hope thepaper can offer foundational data and analyses to the research on the flying Apsaras inMogao Caves of Dunhuang. On the basis, I designed a set of clothes combining myknowledge about costume design and the inspiration from Dunhuang frescoes andflying Apsaras’ costumes. I hope I can further apply the classics of ancient frescoes tomodern design and expect the art&culture spirit of Dunhuang flying Apsaras can bepassed on forever.