Yungang Grotto 6: Figures Making Offerings

CHINA, Shanxi, Datong; Northern Wei dynasty

Located to the sides of each niche on the upper tier of all four walls, these figures are depicted standing close together in three or four tiers. Standing before a round nimbus, each figure holds a different object or stands with palms joined. They represent a variety of beings including Bodhisattvas, heavenly beings, monks, and yaksas.
The heavenly beings on the right side of the central niche on the upper tier of the west wall are arranged in three tiers. In the top tier are heavenly musicians, the central figure plays a panpipe, while the two on either side play waist drums. In the middle tier, two on the left side stand with their hands raised to chest level, while the figures on the right play the flute and pipa. The three figures on the left side of the lower tier stand with palms joined, while the fourth figure plays the flute. Most of these beings have the appearance of Bodhisattvas, with the exception of the figure standing second from the left in the middle tier, whose wild hair and wide eyes resemble a yaksa.