Mogao Cave 17: Three-Headed, Six-Armed Avalokitesvara and the Recorders of Good and Evil

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

This 10th century painting was discovered in Mogao Cave 17. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva, depicted with three heads and six arms, sits on a lotus throne and wears a headdress with a Buddha image in the center. Two hands form mudras in front of the chest; the right hand simultaneously holds a willow branch. A red sun disc containing a bird and a white moon disc with a black tree in the center are supported by the two raised hands. The two lower hands hold prayer beads and a vase. The Recorders of Good and Evil stand beside the lotus throne. They wear robes with wide sleeves and have two topknots. Unusually, they do not hold scrolls or brushes. The upper corners display simply painted flowers.