The Image of the Ridge Beast and the Political Metaphor of Religious Architecture

Title

The Image of the Ridge Beast and the Political Metaphor of Religious Architecture

Author

Yong-Hao Liang

Page

47-74

DOI

10.6163/TJEAS.202512_22(2).0002

Abstract

The image of the spinal beast from the Tang Dynasty to the Ming Dynasty reflects the political metaphorical function generated by the combination of religion and architecture during the feudal period, which is reflected in some religious buildings, the big end of the three: the Tang Dynasty Paradise Pagoda, the Yuan Dynasty Dashunyang Wanshou Palace, and the Ming Dynasty Wudang Mountain Golden Temple. The spinal beasts in these buildings not only have religious colors, but also the shadow of the feudal rulers. Religious buildings on the image of the spine beast, but also as a religious building of the political value of the feudal rulers of the centralized embodiment. In the Tang Dynasty, the image of Makara's spine beasts on the material level reveals the intrinsic connection between the Paradise Tower and Wu Zetian's use of Buddhist theology to structure the imperial power of Wu Zhou. The appearance of the fish and dragon in the Yuan dynasty and the construction of the Wanshou Palace in Dazhunyang was a signal from Meng to the world to honor Song Defang. The reason for this was that the Yuan court was using the Immortal Way to serve its policies, and Quanzhen Dao also took this opportunity to promote its religion. Zhu Di, as a vassal king, built the Wudang Taoist Temple after inheriting the throne, and established the use of the fish and dragon image of the spine beast. He made full use of the business card of Wudang Taoist Temple and the theory of divine right of kings to glorify and deify the war of pacification, so that the public would be convinced and the political purpose of easing social conflicts could be achieved.

Keyword

Feudal Politics, Ridge Beast, Religious Architecture, Makara, Fish Dragon

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