Qianling Museum

                                                  Stone human statues outside the Qianling Tomb
 The Qianling Tomb is where the third Tang emperor and his empress were buried together. The third Emperor Li Zhi and his Empress, Empress Wu Zetian. This is the most representative among the eighteen Tang Dynasty Tombs and the best preserved. It is up to Liangshan (Liang Mountain), six miles north of Qian County City in Shaanxi Province, about eighty kilometers from Xi an. The scope of the tomb is very large with the site of the tomb and gardens on a total of 2,400,000 square meters.

On the grounds of the Qianling Tomb, what you see today, especially beautiful stone carvings that are on the top of the hill. They are "located in the north and the mark" in a line from the 'Crimson Sparrow gate way of the horses and grooms, "the double line of statues in advance of the graves.

                                   The stone carving'Winged horse'standing in front of the Qianling Tomb.

                                            The tablet of 'No words' for Wu Zetian's Qianling Tomb

                               A mural painting in the tomb of Princess Yongtai in the Qianling Tomb. 
 The first pair of stone carvings are symbolic and shows that this is a grave, then get a pair of war-horses and purple martins. The horses cloud patterns have curling on the floor, as if they were flying in the middle of the clouds. The Crimson Sparrow is shown with high relief, with strong, beautiful carvings. According to legends from the time remember this mythical bird as a burial gift to the Emperor by the King of today's Afghanistan was sent. He wore the symbolic meanings of both homage and protection, and so was carved into the stone to the grave.

Next come five pairs of stone horses, on which are saddles, stirrups and other equine accouterments carved. Originally, each couple had stone groom them out but now only three. Behind the ten pairs of horses are waiting to support the emperor. They wear high tops and have wide sleeves long robes, which are at the waist with a belt. Your hands are holding daggers and they look to ban because they guard the grave.

Two rows of stone pillars come next, with a right to the page that is empty: It has no marks or writing. This was shortly on the orders of Empress Wu Zetian set before she died. She noted that her earnings exceeded what was later able to judge people, and they did not write anything on the stele. It stands 6.3 meters high and 2.1 meters wide, 1.49 meters in depth. Another stele contrast, holds about 8,000 characters, all of which shine in gold, after it so that their message about the kingdom could have been carved inserted. The text praises the civilized rule and military power of Emperor Gao Zong.

Behind the stone panels on the right side of the horses and grooms way is a series of sixty-one stone statues of men. Almost all of their heads have long been destroyed, but two remain to show us what they once looked like: These men had a high nose, deep-set eyes were clear and people of Central Asia.Two stone lions stand before swallowing the Purple Gate are the most beautiful works of sculpture at the Qianling grave. These are very large and wild: with curling hair, bulging eyes, open mouth and sharp teeth, they show all the authority and power of the Tang Dynasty.

According to historical documents, a series of accompanying tombs surround the imperial grave Qianling pedestrian zone. These were usually robbed in antiquity, however, certain superlative works of art that can be seen in this museum. It is worth a visit.



source:http://www.chinamuseums.com/qinshihuangt.htm