Author(s)

Yilan Zhao

Corresponding Author

Yilan Zhao

Abstract

There are two stone carvings with handrails in No. 1 Tomb of the Song Dynasty found in Xinwuzui Village, Shiqiao Town of Luxian County, Sichuan Province. Academic circles have always considered these two stone carvings as music and dance carving and drama carving. After re-interpreting the two stone carvings, the author finds that actually, the two stone carvings form a group of pictures which show the scene of “leading the soul to cross the bridge”; they exactly reflect the funeral concept in the Song Dynasty. After the death of the owner of the tomb, it is necessary to release souls from purgatory. After crossing the bridge, the soul can ascend to immortality.

Keywords

The Tomb of the Song Dynasty in Luxian County, Wendao picture, soul-leading, Duxian bridge