The Water and Land Ritual paintings (水陆画) are a style of traditional Chinese painting based on religious or Chinese mythological subjects. The paintings are mainly intricate portraits of deities, historical figures, and the contrasting lives of common people and tragedies, in an ornate style with rich use of vivid colors and patterns. The paintings can encompass a wide range of mediums, including scroll-painting, murals, and even sculptures.[1][2]
Despite their often mythological subject matter, the parts of the Water and Land paintings that are dedicated to commoners show a realistic, often downtrodden and tragic view of their everyday lives, as part of the ritual to reflect on the suffering of the deceased.[1] The paintings preserve the intricacies of their respective eras' fashions and give a greater view of their cultural and spiritual landscape. The visual similarities in the portraits between the divine figures and traditional Chinese opera costumes also illuminate the mutual inspiration between the two art forms.[2]
The history of Water and Land Ritual painting can be traced back to the Three Kingdoms period, with other early mentions during the late Tang dynasty,[3] and became popular during the Yuan, Ming and Qing dynasties as a part of the Buddhist Liberation Rite of Water and Land to appease and enshrine spirits of the deceased. While the painting style has its origins in Buddhist ritual, the paintings also include Taoist and Ruist figures as reflections of local folk-religious culture.[1][2] Many of the best-preserved paintings are from the Ming and Qing dynasties, particularly in Shanxi and Hebei.[3]
Gallery
Celestial Emperor and attendants, Ming Dynasty.
Great Emperor of the North Star, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Taiyi gods, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Celestial deities, Ming Dynasty
![Shangyuan furen [zh] and Houtu](../I/Dame_de_l'Origine_sup%C3%A9rieure_(Shangyuan_furen)_et_l'imp%C3%A9ratrice_de_la_Terre_(Houtu_yuanjun).jpg.webp)
Shangyuan furen and Houtu
Star deities of the northern and central dippers, Ming dynasty
Four Time Guardians (四值功曹)
Twenty-Eight Mansions (Azure Dragon), Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Twenty-Eight Mansions (White Tiger), Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Twenty-Eight Mansions (Vermillion Bird), Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Twenty-Eight Mansions (Black Tortoise), Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Five of the Chinese constellations, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Generals of the Five Paths, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty
Officials and judges of the Earthly Court, Ming dynasty
Officials of the Earthly Court, Ming Dynasty
Great Generals of the Desert and the Spirits of Grasses and Trees Who Dwell in the Void of Water and Land, Ming dynasty
Martyred generals and officials, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Martyred Generals Who Died for their Country and Officials of Former Times, Ming dynasty
Guan Yu, as seen on mural from Pilu Temple, Shijiazhuang
Officials of Former Times, Ming Dynasty
Four Dragon Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Water and Land Ritual painting of Canshen and the Five Demons of Pestilence, Baoning Temple, Ming dynasty
Ten Kings of Hell, Ming Dynasty
Amitabha, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Guanyin, Baoning Temple, Ming dynasty
Ajita Arya, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Two Luohans, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Vajrahāsa, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Mahabala, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Mahācakra , of the Eight Wisdom Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Hayagriva, of the Eight Wisdom Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Kuṇḍali, of the Eight Wisdom Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Aparājita, of the Eight Wisdom Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Yamantaka, of the Eight Wisdom Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Padanaksipa, of the Eight Wisdom Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Trailokyavijaya, of the Eight Wisdom Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Acala, of the Eight Wisdom Kings, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Indentured servants and slaves separated from family, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty
Death from miscarriage, severe cold and great heat, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Death from building collapse, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Death from wars and fire, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Death from starvation, sickness and suicide, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Death from capital punishment and imprisonement, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty
Death from the wronged, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Lonely ghost, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Scholars and students, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Buddhist bhikkuni in waiting, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Filial children and grandchildren in waiting, Baoning Temple, Ming Dynasty.
Three Officials, Four Saints, and the Great Emperor, Qing dynasty
Guardians and Deities from the Water-Land Ritual, Qing dynasty
Buddhist, Daoist, and Folk Deities from the Water-Land Ritual, Qing dynasty
Heavenly and Earthly Deities from the Water-Land Ritual, Qing dynasty
Five Masters of Plague and Ghost and Pestilence King, Qing dynasty
Attendees of the Water-Land Ritual, Qing dynasty