Mogao Cave 17: Heavenly King

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

This painting, made during the late 8th or early 9th century, is one of the oldest depictions of a Heavenly King found in Mogao Cave 17. Most paintings portray the Heavenly Kings as intimidating figures with wide, staring eyes. However, the Heavenly King in this painting has a peaceful expression on his finely drawn face. He stands on colorful clouds and joins his palms in front of his chest. A colorful robe is worn beneath decorative scaled armor. The head is surrounded by a green nimbus. At the bottom of the painting, a sketched human face and two Chinese characters are faintly visible.
The Four Heavenly Kings protect the Dharma in four different directions. According to the Liturgy of Offering to the Heavenly Beings, Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, is well-versed in Buddha’s teachings. He is often depicted holding a stupa or pagoda in right hand and a halberd in left. The ferocious-looking Dhrtarasta, Heavenly King of the East is often depicted wearing a helmet and armor, and wielding a sword or three-pronged spear. Virudhaka, Heavenly King of the South, who is capable of encouraging wholesomeness, is often depicted standing atop a demon, dressed in armor and holding a halberd in the right hand and a spear in the left hand. Virupaksa, Heavenly King of the West, who is capable of making different kinds of speeches, is often depicted holding a noose in right hand.