Maijishan Grotto 127: Nimbus of Buddha

CHINA, Gansu, Tianshui; Western Wei dynasty

The elaborate nimbus is carved on the wall behind the Buddha. The center of the nimbus has a double layer of lotus petals. Flowery vines emerge from a lotus, which supports a miniature seated Buddha, and circumscribes the petals. Twelve apsaras on the nimbus’s outer layer appear to be flying to the center. The first apsara on the right side holds a flute or a reed instrument, the second and third fly close to each other and play the horn and panpipe, the fourth a lute, the fifth a string instrument, and the sixth a reed instrument. The first apsara on the left plays a flute, the second and third fly close to each other and play cymbals and waist drums, the fourth plays a clapper, the fifth plays a zither, and the sixth plays a reed instrument.