Gongxian Cave 4: Deities

CHINA, Henan, Zhengzhou; Northern Wei dynasty

These bas-releif carvings of deities are located on the base on four sides of the central pillar and along the bottom of the east wall. A warrior flanked by dragon deities is depicted in the middle of the base on the south side of the central pillar.
The four figures portrayed on the east side of the central pillar’s base, from left to right, are: a damaged deity, an unknown deity clasping both knees together, the Wind Deity carrying a fan, and the Fire Deity holding a torch. On the west side of the central pillar’s base are the Mountain Deity holding a mountain, the Tree Deity placed among trees, Two-Headed Hariti carrying a child, and the Sea Deity holding a makara. The Bird Deity, the Lion Deity, the Jewel Deity, and the River Deity are located on the north side of the central pillar’s base.
Nine additional deities can be found at the bottom of the east wall. Those which are identifiable include: the Rabbit Deity with a rabbit-shaped head, the Bird Deity who appears as a bird-headed figure, the Elephant Deity pictured with the head of an elephant, and the Fish Deity who carries a fish.
The bases of the central pillar of Gongxian Caves 1 and 3 are also carved with deities, but the pillar in Cave 4 is decorated with the greatest number and variety of figures.