Hi Yun,
Here is the long-awaited label text for the Field Museum chinese religious
art cases. Please let me know how long it will take you to translate this.
The sooner the better.
Robin
*****
Overview labels
Chinese Religious Art
Most Chinese religious art can be classified as belonging to one of two
major belief systems, Daoism or Buddhism. Each religion has its own
traditional figures, representing important concepts and beliefs, that have
been the subjects of works of art over the centuries.
Daoism
The Dao, or the Way, refers to a philosophical core of being at one with
nature. The Daoist religion began as a messianic movement in the 2nd century
BC. As the religion developed over time, Daoist gods emerged to control
every aspect of the universe, from medicine and health to cities, natural
elements, and heavenly phenomena.
Perhaps most famous among the Daoist pantheon are the Eight Immortals, a
group of historical figures and characters from legends who became immortals
associated with one another by the 12th Century AD. Individually and as a
group, the Eight Immortals are among the most popular subjects represented
in Chinese art, and their images are found prominently at temple shrines,
featured in drama, and pictured on everyday items such as vases, fans,
candle holders, and small carvings. Each Immortal has an identifying symbol
and attribute.
Buddhism
Buddhism began in India around the 6th Century BC and first traveled to
China in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. In addition to images of Buddha,
Buddhist art often features representations of bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas
are deities who, after reaching enlightenment, opted to stay on earth and
assist others in reaching enlightenment rather than become Buddhas
themselves. One of the most frequently encountered is Guanyin, or the
Bodhisattva of Compassion. Sometimes shown as male, Guanyin is also found in
female form as the Chinese Goddess of Mercy.
(focus labels)
Statue of Daoist Immortal Lü Dongbin (Ivory)
Lü Dongbin, most powerful and popular of the Eight Immortals, wrote a text
that serves as the basis for a major school of the Daoist religion. His
emblems are his magic double-edged sword and a fly-whisk. He commands charms
to tame evil spirits and cure illness.
China
19th Century
Catalog 233357
Candle holder in the image of Daoist Immortal (Pewter)
The cylindrical bamboo instrument and clappers identify this figure as Zhang
Guolao. One of the Eight Immortals, he is an old recluse often found riding
backwards on a magical white mule.
China
Late 19th Century
Catalog 109947
Statue of Daoist Immortal Han Xiangzi (Ivory)
Han Xiangzi, symbolized by his flute, is a poet and musician who serves as
the patron of musicians in the Daoist religion.
China
19th Century
Catalog 233360
Statue of Daoist Immortal Li Tieguai (Ivory)
Li Tieguai, a lame beggar always shown with his iron crutch, offers
compassion to the sick and serves as patron to pharmacists and physicians.
China
Probably 19th Century
Catalog 233359
Statue of Daoist Immortal Lü Dongbin (Wood)
Lü Dongbin, most famous of the Eight Immortals, is also known as "Ancestor
Lü," a major figure in the history and philosophy of Daoism. He is also
popularly associated with medicine and longevity. He carries a demon-slaying
sword and is often found with a fly-whisk and a gourd in which he
incarcerates demons.
China
19th Century
Catalog 118370
Sculpture of Daoist Immortal (Wood)
This sculpture, carved from an interesting piece of wood, demonstrates the
Daoist value of working within the designs of nature.
China
Late 18th, early 19th Century
Catalog 118354
Bust of Guanyin (Porcelain)
With a name meaning "Perceiver of the World's Sounds," the bodhisattva
Guanyin is a central figure in East Asian Buddhism to whom devotees turn for
protection from danger and assistance with fertility and monetary success.
This figurine is an important work of art, one of the finest known examples
of porcelain sculpture from the Yuan dynasty, the period when the Mongols
ruled China. It looks monumental in spite of its small size.
China
14th Century
Catalog 119332
Sakyamuni Buddha (Painted Bronze)
Sakyamuni is the historical Buddha, believed to have lived in India in the
6th-5th Centuries BC. Through their postures, statues of the Buddha often
indicate specific moments in the Buddha's life. This figure's right hand is
pointing to the earth to bear witness to the Buddha's vow to reach
enlightenment, while the left hand indicates contemplation.
China
16th Century
Catalog 120114
Guardian Figure (Gilded Bronze)
This is Wei Tuo, guardian of the Buddhist faith. In Buddhist temples his
statue is typically found facing the main altar, with his back to the main
inner entrance. Gilding is a process of putting a layer of pure gold on
bronze. The gold makes the bronze shine and keeps it from corroding or
turning green.
China
1624 AD
Catalog 120150
Head Sculpture (Stone)
This head came from one of the large sculpted figures on the walls of the
great cave temple of Yungang begun in the second half of the 5th Century in
northwestern China. Yungang, with more than 20 human-cut caves and thousands
of distinctively carved figures, is among the greatest of all Chinese
Buddhist sites.
The Field Museum received this piece in 1994 from the family of Hisazo
Nagatani, an Asian art dealer in Chicago from the 1940s until the 1980s.
China
5th Century
Catalog 242627
Three-legged Toad (Bronze)
Originally associated with the moon, in recent centuries the three-legged
toad has meant only one thing to most Chinese: money. Such a toad is the pet
or companion of the Immortal Liu Hai, to whom people pray for financial
success. It often holds a coin in its mouth. It brings luck and, more
specifically, wealth.
China
18th Century
Catalog 117542
Votive Tablet (Marble)
This stone votive depicts the Buddha with two holy assistants on each side.
Such a representation, typical in Buddhist art, is found on colossal images
and temple altars as well as on relatively small pieces.
China
560 AD
Catalog 121447
Head of Deified Laozi (Stone)
Laozi, a philospher of the 6th Century BC, is the legendary author of the
Daode Jing, or the "Classic of the Way and Virtue." This text serves as the
central scripture of Daoism and has inspired numerous interpretations.
China
7th-8th Century
Catalog 121488
Statue of Taiyi Tianzun (Stone)
Taiyi Tianzun, a supreme deity of Daoism, sits here in a pose reminiscent of
the lotus posture found in Buddhist statues. Like the Buddhist deity
Guanyin, Tianzun is capable of saving believers from the torments of hell.
His image is often associated with funerals and the late-summer festival of
the dead.
China
709 AD
Catalog 121521
Carving of Guanyin (Ivory)
Guanyin is shown here with a mixing bowl and stirrer, presumably concocting
an elixir of immortality. As immortality is much more a concern of Daoist
faith than of Buddhism, this image demonstrates an area of cross-over and
integration between the two religions.
China
17th Century
Catalog 126820
Carving of Guanyin (Ivory)
A small, elegant carving of Guanyin, one of the four highest bodhisattvas.
Widespread belief in this goddess of mercy began as early as the 4th Century.
China
16th Century CE
Catalog 126858
Statue of the Empress of Heaven (Wood with pigment)
Known as Mazu or Tian Hou, this goddess is a vital, popular deity throughout
the southern and eastern Chinese coastal provinces and also in Taiwan and
immigrant communities in North America. While not a Buddhist deity at all,
her roles as a protector of those who depend on the sea and as a goddess of
fertility are quite similar to the popular roles played by the Buddhist
deity Guanyin.
Taiwan
Late 19th Century
Catalog 166451
Carving of Longevity God (Ivory)
This god of longevity is particularly important since Daoists place a great
value on practices that are thought to lengthen life, such as alchemy and
meditation.
China
17th Century
Catalog 233338
Statue of Guanyin (Wood with Pigment)
This image portrays Guanyin as the multi-handed bodhisattva, delaying her
own retirement into Nirvana in order to save others. The multiple hands
represent the important role of Guanyin in carrying out the Buddhist
principle of universal salvation.
China
Early 19th Century
Catalog 120263
Carving of Guanyin with Baby (Ivory)
According to scripture, Guanyin will answer the prayers of expectant
mothers. Images showing this Buddhist deity nurturing a child became more
popular in the last few centuries, as Europeans introduced Christianity to
China, along with images of the Virgin Mary and child.
China
17th Century
Catalog 233343
Gandhara Buddha (Stone)
An Indian statue such as this may have influenced the early style of
Buddhist art found in China.
India
1st-2nd Century AD
Catalog 151809
"Sandalwood" Buddha (Gilt Bronze)
This image of the Buddha is based on the earliest Buddha image found in
China, the "Sandalwood" Buddha, which dates to the middle of the 2nd Century
CE. This image resembles in posture and design Indian Buddhist statues of
the same period.
China
12th Century
Catalog 12700
Overview labels
Chinese Religious Art
Most Chinese religious art can be classified as belonging to one of two major belief systems, Daoism or Buddhism. Each religion has its own traditional figures, representing important concepts and beliefs, that have been the subjects of works of art over the centuries.
Daoism
The Dao, or the Way, refers to a philosophical core of being at one with nature. The Daoist religion began as a messianic movement in the 2nd century BC. As the religion developed over time, Daoist gods emerged to control every aspect of the universe, from medicine and health to cities, natural elements, and heavenly phenomena.
Perhaps most famous among the Daoist pantheon are the Eight Immortals, a group of historical figures and characters from legends who became immortals associated with one another by the 12th Century AD. Individually and as a group, the Eight Immortals are among the most popular subjects represented in Chinese art, and their images are found prominently at temple shrines, featured in drama, and pictured on everyday items such as vases, fans, candle holders, and small carvings. Each Immortal has an identifying symbol and attribute.
Buddhism
Buddhism began in India around the 6th Century BC and first traveled to China in the 1st and 2nd centuries AD. In addition to images of Buddha, Buddhist art often features representations of bodhisattvas. Bodhisattvas are deities who, after reaching enlightenment, opted to stay on earth and assist others in reaching enlightenment rather than become Buddhas themselves. One of the most frequently encountered is Guanyin, or the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Sometimes shown as male, Guanyin is also found in female form as the Chinese Goddess of Mercy.
(focus labels)
Statue of Daoist Immortal Lü Dongbin (Ivory)
Lü Dongbin, most powerful and popular of the Eight Immortals, wrote a text that serves as the basis for a major school of the Daoist religion. His emblems are his magic double-edged sword and a fly-whisk. He commands charms to tame evil spirits and cure illness.
China
19th Century
Catalog 233357
Candle holder in the image of Daoist Immortal (Pewter)
The cylindrical bamboo instrument and clappers identify this figure as Zhang Guolao. One of the Eight Immortals, he is an old recluse often found riding backwards on a magical white mule.
China
Late 19th Century
Catalog 109947
Statue of Daoist Immortal Han Xiangzi (Ivory)
Han Xiangzi, symbolized by his flute, is a poet and musician who serves as the patron of musicians in the Daoist religion.
China
19th Century
Catalog 233360
Statue of Daoist Immortal Li Tieguai (Ivory)
Li Tieguai, a lame beggar always shown with his iron crutch, offers compassion to the sick and serves as patron to pharmacists and physicians.
China
Probably 19th Century
Catalog 233359
Statue of Daoist Immortal Lü Dongbin (Wood)
Lü Dongbin, most famous of the Eight Immortals, is also known as "Ancestor Lü," a major figure in the history and philosophy of Daoism. He is also popularly associated with medicine and longevity. He carries a demon-slaying sword and is often found with a fly-whisk and a gourd in which he incarcerates demons.
China
19th Century
Catalog 118370
Sculpture of Daoist Immortal (Wood)
This sculpture, carved from an interesting piece of wood, demonstrates the Daoist value of working within the designs of nature.
China
Late 18th, early 19th Century
Catalog 118354
Bust of Guanyin (Porcelain)
With a name meaning "Perceiver of the World's Sounds," the bodhisattva Guanyin is a central figure in East Asian Buddhism to whom devotees turn for protection from danger and assistance with fertility and monetary success. This figurine is an important work of art, one of the finest known examples of porcelain sculpture from the Yuan dynasty, the period when the Mongols ruled China. It looks monumental in spite of its small size.
China
14th Century
Catalog 119332
Sakyamuni Buddha (Painted Bronze)
Sakyamuni is the historical Buddha, believed to have lived in India in the 6th-5th Centuries BC. Through their postures, statues of the Buddha often indicate specific moments in the Buddha's life. This figure's right hand is pointing to the earth to bear witness to the Buddha's vow to reach enlightenment, while the left hand indicates contemplation.
China
16th Century
Catalog 120114
Guardian Figure (Gilded Bronze)
This is Wei Tuo, guardian of the Buddhist faith. In Buddhist temples his statue is typically found facing the main altar, with his back to the main inner entrance. Gilding is a process of putting a layer of pure gold on bronze. The gold makes the bronze shine and keeps it from corroding or turning green.
China
1624 AD
Catalog 120150
Head Sculpture (Stone)
This head came from one of the large sculpted figures on the walls of the great cave temple of Yungang begun in the second half of the 5th Century in northwestern China. Yungang, with more than 20 human-cut caves and thousands of distinctively carved figures, is among the greatest of all Chinese Buddhist sites.
The Field Museum received this piece in 1994 from the family of Hisazo Nagatani, an Asian art dealer in Chicago from the 1940s until the 1980s.
China
5th Century
Catalog 242627
Three-legged Toad (Bronze)
Originally associated with the moon, in recent centuries the three-legged toad has meant only one thing to most Chinese: money. Such a toad is the pet or companion of the Immortal Liu Hai, to whom people pray for financial success. It often holds a coin in its mouth. It brings luck and, more specifically, wealth.
China
18th Century
Catalog 117542
Votive Tablet (Marble)
This stone votive depicts the Buddha with two holy assistants on each side. Such a representation, typical in Buddhist art, is found on colossal images and temple altars as well as on relatively small pieces.
China
560 AD
Catalog 121447
Head of Deified Laozi (Stone)
Laozi, a philospher of the 6th Century BC, is the legendary author of the Daode Jing, or the "Classic of the Way and Virtue." This text serves as the central scripture of Daoism and has inspired numerous interpretations.
China
7th-8th Century
Catalog 121488
Statue of Taiyi Tianzun (Stone)
Taiyi Tianzun, a supreme deity of Daoism, sits here in a pose reminiscent of the lotus posture found in Buddhist statues. Like the Buddhist deity Guanyin, Tianzun is capable of saving believers from the torments of hell. His image is often associated with funerals and the late-summer festival of the dead.
China
709 AD
Catalog 121521
Carving of Guanyin (Ivory)
Guanyin is shown here with a mixing bowl and stirrer, presumably concocting an elixir of immortality. As immortality is much more a concern of Daoist faith than of Buddhism, this image demonstrates an area of cross-over and integration between the two religions.
China
17th Century
Catalog 126820
Carving of Guanyin (Ivory)
A small, elegant carving of Guanyin, one of the four highest bodhisattvas. Widespread belief in this goddess of mercy began as early as the 4th Century.
China
16th Century CE
Catalog 126858
Statue of the Empress of Heaven (Wood with pigment)
Known as Mazu or Tian Hou, this goddess is a vital, popular deity throughout the southern and eastern Chinese coastal provinces and also in Taiwan and immigrant communities in North America. While not a Buddhist deity at all, her roles as a protector of those who depend on the sea and as a goddess of fertility are quite similar to the popular roles played by the Buddhist deity Guanyin.
Taiwan
Late 19th Century
Catalog 166451
Carving of Longevity God (Ivory)
This god of longevity is particularly important since Daoists place a great value on practices that are thought to lengthen life, such as alchemy and meditation.
China
17th Century
Catalog 233338
Statue of Guanyin (Wood with Pigment)
This image portrays Guanyin as the multi-handed bodhisattva, delaying her own retirement into Nirvana in order to save others. The multiple hands represent the important role of Guanyin in carrying out the Buddhist principle of universal salvation.
China
Early 19th Century
Catalog 120263
Carving of Guanyin with Baby (Ivory)
According to scripture, Guanyin will answer the prayers of expectant mothers. Images showing this Buddhist deity nurturing a child became more popular in the last few centuries, as Europeans introduced Christianity to China, along with images of the Virgin Mary and child.
China
17th Century
Catalog 233343
Gandhara Buddha (Stone)
An Indian statue such as this may have influenced the early style of Buddhist art found in China.
India
1st-2nd Century AD
Catalog 151809
"Sandalwood" Buddha (Gilt Bronze)
This image of the Buddha is based on the earliest Buddha image found in China, the "Sandalwood" Buddha, which dates to the middle of the 2nd Century CE. This image resembles in posture and design Indian Buddhist statues of the same period.
China
12th Century
Catalog 12700
Robin Wagner, Ph.D.
Programming Coordinator
The Chicago Millennium Project
Chicago, IL 60605-2496
Ph: 312-922-9410 x245
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