Mogao Cave 17: Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Tang dynasty

On this 9th century banner, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva stands on a lotus pedestal, appearing calm and compassionate. A colorful nimbus surrounds the bare head. The monastic robe is covered with a grid of thick black lines and colorful clouds. A green inner robe is visible above the bare feet. Both hands form mudras in front of the chest. Geometric patterns with gold emblems in the center are painted at the bottom of the picture.
Above the nimbus, there is a canopy adorned with flaming jewels and hanging tassels. The banner is attached to a triangular headpiece decorated with curving clouds, and is separated from the body by three horizontal strips of patterning. The top of the picture shows the bottom horizontal strip colored in alternating purple and red. A row of white dots underlines the strip. Two bells hang on both sides from the strip.