Artist: unknown
Title: The Fei-yi ("Flying Banner"), top section, detail
Material: pigment on silk
Site: from the tomb of the Marquise of Dai, at Mawangdui, Changsha, Hunan.
Current Location:
Period/Date: ca. 180 B.C.E.
Iconography/Iconology: At the top center of the painting is a representation of Xi wang mu, "Queen Mother of the West" within the coils of a serpentine creature. She presides over the western paradise into which the deceased expects to experience the after-life. She is shown in her celestial abode flanked by the moon and sun. There is a toad and raven in the moon and sun respectively , each personification s of the heavenly bodies. Beneath the sun are a series of other, smaller suns. This is probably a reference to the Archer Yu who saved the earth from being burned up by shooting all but the one remaining sun. The swirling dragons are a reference to the water-bearing clouds and are the creatures who transport the soul of the deceased into the afterlife. In between the two dragons are two creatures on antelope-like mounts, towing aloft a brazier, apparently as an offering of incense to Xi wang mu. The two guardians of the jade gates leading into heaven are partially seen at the bottom center of this view.
Stylistic Comments: The painting technique used is one in which the forms are built up of flat opaque colors which are then outlined in black ink providing the details.
