Mogao Cave 17: Vaisravana and Heavenly Beings

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties to Northern Song dynasty

This mid-10th century painting shows Vaisravana, Heavenly King of the North, marching at the front of his retinue. The Heavenly King wears a headdress and a stately suit of armor. Flames rise from his shoulders. Vaisravana stands on a trail of clouds outlined with red strokes, holding a pagoda in his left hand and a halberd in the right. The clouds originate from the city gate in the upper left corner, which represents all the lands north of Mount Sumeru, the territory of the Heavenly King of the North. Standing behind the Heavenly King is Mahadevi, with red cheeks. He holds a roll of silk representing wealth. The two sons of the Heavenly King are dressed in long robes. The remaining figures are heavenly beings and yaksas. There is an empty cartouche in the upper left corner.