Painting of Fuxi and Nuwa from National Museum of Korea

2020-06-01 16:47:48 source: National Museum of Korea



We’re glad to have Mr. Youngwoo Kwon, assistant curator of National Museum of Korea show us a masterpiece in their collection, a painting of Fuxi and Nuwa (the God and Goddess who created the universe in ancient Chinese mythology) dated back to 7th century and excavated in Turpan, Xinjiang (the Gaochang Kingdom at that time). Interestingly this painting contains quite a few features that are distinctive to Central Asia art, such as the eyes, decorative elements, and garments, which are explained in full detail in the video. 


Below is the English transcript for your easy reference:

The work that I am going to show you is called Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa, currently on display in the Central Asia Gallery of the World Art Gallery here at the National Museum of Korea. The Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa was created in the 7th century, about 1,300 years ago. It was discovered in one of the tombs in the Astana Cemetery, which belonged to the ruling class of the Gaochang Kingdom, a dynasty that once flourished in present-day Turpan of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.


The main figures in this painting are two deities, Fuxi and Nüwa, who are credited with creating the universe and humanity in ancient Chinese mythology. Together with Shennong, they make up the Three Sovereigns, who feature alongside the Five Emperors as mythological rulers and deities of ancient China. At first glance, this painting may appear somewhat uncanny.


As you can see, Fuxi and Nüwa have their arms around each other’s shoulders, yet they are depicted as if their arms are attached as one. The two deities also look like they are dressed together in a single skirt. Furthermore, their lower bodies do not even appear to be in human form but are instead portrayed as entwined serpents. Surrounding the two deities are the sun, the moon, and various constellations, including the Big Dipper. From this, we can see that Fuxi and Nüwa are depicted as standing in the midst of the universe. The square held by the god Fuxi (on the right), and the compass and the ink container held by the goddess Nüwa (on the left) represent the tools they used in creating the universe.


This painting takes a Chinese creation myth as its theme, but when closely examined, it reveals some of the distinctive features of Central Asian art. First of all, if you look at the necks, hands, and eyes of the figures, you will see the shades of red that create a sense of volume and depth to the image. This is one of the techniques that were frequently used in Central Asian painting, and also appears in the expression of figures in the mural paintings of the Kizil Caves in Kucha.


Next, the painting shows some notable traits of traditional Central Asian dress, such as narrow sleeves and rounded necklines as appears in the tunics that Fuxi and Nüwa are wearing. Furthermore, the sun and the moon are surrounded by radiating lines and further enclosed by a ring of white pearl-like circles, and this is another common feature of Central Asian art. The use of only three colors, black, red, and white, as well as the many pearl-like circles that represent the stars, is also found in the decorations on the bowls that were placed next to the deceased inside the same tomb in the Astana Cemetery.


Then, where and for what purpose was this Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa originally used? The clue is here in several tiny holes that are visible along the edges. Presumably, they are nail holes that were used to anchor the painting to the ceiling inside the tomb. With the painting tacked onto it, the ceiling that the deceased was facing would appear just like the sky as created by Fuxi and Nüwa. As such, the Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa played a crucial role in shaping the inner chamber of the tomb as a spiritual space for the dead.


Consequently, the Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa symbolizes the creation of the universe by the two creator gods who are depicted as intertwined bodies. Through this painting, the people who lived in Turpan at that time were able to express their wish for regeneration and rebirth of the deceased into the afterlife.



(Executive Editor: Ye Ke)

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12017818 Painting of Fuxi and Nuwa from National Museum of Korea public html


We’re glad to have Mr. Youngwoo Kwon, assistant curator of National Museum of Korea show us a masterpiece in their collection, a painting of Fuxi and Nuwa (the God and Goddess who created the universe in ancient Chinese mythology) dated back to 7th century and excavated in Turpan, Xinjiang (the Gaochang Kingdom at that time). Interestingly this painting contains quite a few features that are distinctive to Central Asia art, such as the eyes, decorative elements, and garments, which are explained in full detail in the video. 


Below is the English transcript for your easy reference:

The work that I am going to show you is called Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa, currently on display in the Central Asia Gallery of the World Art Gallery here at the National Museum of Korea. The Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa was created in the 7th century, about 1,300 years ago. It was discovered in one of the tombs in the Astana Cemetery, which belonged to the ruling class of the Gaochang Kingdom, a dynasty that once flourished in present-day Turpan of the Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region.


The main figures in this painting are two deities, Fuxi and Nüwa, who are credited with creating the universe and humanity in ancient Chinese mythology. Together with Shennong, they make up the Three Sovereigns, who feature alongside the Five Emperors as mythological rulers and deities of ancient China. At first glance, this painting may appear somewhat uncanny.


As you can see, Fuxi and Nüwa have their arms around each other’s shoulders, yet they are depicted as if their arms are attached as one. The two deities also look like they are dressed together in a single skirt. Furthermore, their lower bodies do not even appear to be in human form but are instead portrayed as entwined serpents. Surrounding the two deities are the sun, the moon, and various constellations, including the Big Dipper. From this, we can see that Fuxi and Nüwa are depicted as standing in the midst of the universe. The square held by the god Fuxi (on the right), and the compass and the ink container held by the goddess Nüwa (on the left) represent the tools they used in creating the universe.


This painting takes a Chinese creation myth as its theme, but when closely examined, it reveals some of the distinctive features of Central Asian art. First of all, if you look at the necks, hands, and eyes of the figures, you will see the shades of red that create a sense of volume and depth to the image. This is one of the techniques that were frequently used in Central Asian painting, and also appears in the expression of figures in the mural paintings of the Kizil Caves in Kucha.


Next, the painting shows some notable traits of traditional Central Asian dress, such as narrow sleeves and rounded necklines as appears in the tunics that Fuxi and Nüwa are wearing. Furthermore, the sun and the moon are surrounded by radiating lines and further enclosed by a ring of white pearl-like circles, and this is another common feature of Central Asian art. The use of only three colors, black, red, and white, as well as the many pearl-like circles that represent the stars, is also found in the decorations on the bowls that were placed next to the deceased inside the same tomb in the Astana Cemetery.


Then, where and for what purpose was this Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa originally used? The clue is here in several tiny holes that are visible along the edges. Presumably, they are nail holes that were used to anchor the painting to the ceiling inside the tomb. With the painting tacked onto it, the ceiling that the deceased was facing would appear just like the sky as created by Fuxi and Nüwa. As such, the Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa played a crucial role in shaping the inner chamber of the tomb as a spiritual space for the dead.


Consequently, the Painting of Fuxi and Nüwa symbolizes the creation of the universe by the two creator gods who are depicted as intertwined bodies. Through this painting, the people who lived in Turpan at that time were able to express their wish for regeneration and rebirth of the deceased into the afterlife.



(Executive Editor: Ye Ke)

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