A lover of Collection Donated a Top-Level Stone Inscription on Taoism to Xian Museum

Date:2/13/2008 
 
On 12 February 2008, Qiao Lianxue, a collection lover of Xian endowed a rare stone inscription written by Emperor Ruizong in Tang Dynasty to Xian Museum. Some specialists in this regard said this is the symbolic stone inscription of Qiaoling Tomb, Emperor Li Dans royal tomb. It is the top-level stone inscription about Taoism in China (Taoism is widely extended in Tang Dynasty for its founder was also the ancestor of Emperors of Tang Dynasty). It is also the well-preserved stone inscription on Emperor of Tang Dynasty with delicate decorations.

According to the introduction of director of Xian Museum, this stone inscription is divided into two pieces, top and bottom inscriptions. The top stone is a square one with 74 centimeters long and 12.5 centimeters high. The bottom stone is also the square one with 73 centimeters long and 15.5 centimeters high.  Some patterns on Qiling, a kind of heavenly animal in Chinese fairy tales. Such a holy animal is one of five honored animals in Chinese Taoism. It is the central patron saint surrounded by 12 auspicious clouds. On 4 side faces of bottom stone many animals like cattle, wild goose, crab, dog, wolf, sheep, eagle, dragon, fish, and turtle and so on are carved. There are also 16 Chinese characters written in seal of Taoism. There are also 161 clerical scripts valued for its academic importance.

From the records we have, there are no any notes showing the imperial funeral in the rites of Taoism. Hence it is the breakthrough. It is reported that this stone inscription will be exhibited as the rare collection in Xian Museum.  

 
From:absolutechinatours  Edit:David  Author:David