Study On The Image Of "Horse" In The Murals Of Tangut Grottoes

Xixia grottoes murals are an important part of Xixia culture and art,the horse image in the murals is very little as one of the elements in Xixia grottoes murals,but it plays an essential role in studying the social history of Xixia.This paper collects and sorts out horse images with different themes in Xixia grottoes murals,and discusses the artistic features and theme types of horse images.Its main manifestations are:Tianma as a decorative pattern,Bai Longma in the Tang Priest’s Buddhist Scripture,horses in the war.heavenly kings’ mounts,and horses to support.Drawing Tianma as a decorative pattern and flower and grass patterns in one place is even more characteristic in the frescoes of Xixia grottoes.Horse in Xixia grottoes murals is not only an animal image,but also a product of Xixia society,history and culture.Its aesthetic form and cultural background are different fron horse images in other grottoes murals of past dynasties.The painting style of horse images in Xixia grottoes murals is influenced by many artistic cultures,such as Han Buddhism,Tibetan Buddhism,Central Plains culture,Tangut Xixia culture,Silk Road culture and so on,showing different artistic characteristics.