Tuyoq Caves: Heavenly Kings

CHINA, Xinjiang, Turpan

This partially damaged banner consists of a headpiece, side streamers, and a body with the bottom and part of the sides missing. A faded image of a seated Buddha is painted on the headpiece. Both sides of the body are decorated with images of Heavenly Kings wearing colorful suits of armor and golden crowns. They both have colorful nimbuses and high topknots. The Heavenly King on the front of the banner has bulging eyes, full cheeks, a mustache, and a thin beard. Flames rise from the fingers of his raised left hand. The Heavenly King on the back of the banner holds a feathered arrow in the right hand and a bow in the left hand, suggesting that he is Dhrtarastra, Heavenly King of the East. Taking into consideration the translucent linen that the banner is made of, the two Heavenly Kings were depicted facing in different directions to allow the outlines of the images on the front and back to coincide.