Funeral Banner of Lady Dai
Title: Funeral Banner of Lady Dai
Culture: Western Han Dynasty China
Origin: Mawangdui, Hunan Province China
Date: 2nd Century
Materials: Painted Silk
Dimensions: 6 Feet Long
Current Location: Hunan Museum
The Funeral Banner of Lady Dai was uncovered in Eastern China in the Mawangdui, Hunan Province in 1972. There were three other tombs found a long side Lady Dai’s tomb, but out of all three tombs Lady Dai’s was the best preserved tomb. There was many extravagant objects that were found with her in the tomb that show that her subjects want Lady Dai to spend the afterlife in luxury. One of the objects that was well preserved from Lady Dai’s tomb was a six feet long, silk painted, T-shaped banner that was placed on top of one of Lady Dai’s four innermost nesting coffins. The function of the banner is unknown, however, scholars speculate that it might be a name banner used to identify the deceased or to help and aid the souls into passing over to the afterlife. Lady Dai’s funeral banner is an early example of pictorial art in early China as well as the earliest known portrait in Chinese paintings. On the banner it can be divided into four different parts. Each little quadrant has something different that has to do with Lady Dai and the afterlife. In the first quadrant it shows what seems to be a heavenly realm of sorts. At the top of the banner two men face each other and seem to be guarding the gates to heaven. While directly above the two men we see a deity with a head like a human and the body of a dragon. On the left side of the deity a toad/frog appears to be stands on a crescent moon. While on the right we see a crow standing on what seems to be the sun. The next quadrant shows Lady Dai and her attendants. In the upper middle of the banner we see Lady Dai in a embroidered silken robe lean on a staff. With Lady Dai are five of her servants. This portrait of Lady Dai is one of the earliest Chinese painted portraits of a specific individual. On either side of Lady Dai dragons border the frame of the scene and right below her the two dragons loop through a disc like object. In the scene it shows Lady Dai in the afterlife getting ready to ascend into heaven. In the third quadrant it shows the body of Lady Dai surrounded by mourners. In the bottom middle of the banner is a scene of Lady Dai deceased body being mourned over. In the foreground their are offering while in the middle ground is mourners on either side mourning the loss of Lady Dai. Looking closely at the banner you can see patterns that match the robes that Lady Dai was wearing in the above scene. Finally, in the last quadrant it show what appears to be the underworld/hell. At the very bottom of the banner right below the mourning scene is the underworld. In the scene there are many different creatures such as two giant black fish, a red snake, a pair of blue goats, and an unknown deity. The deity seems to be holding up the floor of the mourning scene. I myself find this banner to be very beautiful and unique. It gives us a glimpse into the Han Dynasties religious faith. Just like the other burials like the Sutton Hoo burial and the Egyptian pharaohs. Lady Dai was also buried with all kinds of different objects to make her life in the afterlife comfortable just like it was when she was living.
Culture: Western Han Dynasty China
Origin: Mawangdui, Hunan Province China
Date: 2nd Century
Materials: Painted Silk
Dimensions: 6 Feet Long
Current Location: Hunan Museum
The Funeral Banner of Lady Dai was uncovered in Eastern China in the Mawangdui, Hunan Province in 1972. There were three other tombs found a long side Lady Dai’s tomb, but out of all three tombs Lady Dai’s was the best preserved tomb. There was many extravagant objects that were found with her in the tomb that show that her subjects want Lady Dai to spend the afterlife in luxury. One of the objects that was well preserved from Lady Dai’s tomb was a six feet long, silk painted, T-shaped banner that was placed on top of one of Lady Dai’s four innermost nesting coffins. The function of the banner is unknown, however, scholars speculate that it might be a name banner used to identify the deceased or to help and aid the souls into passing over to the afterlife. Lady Dai’s funeral banner is an early example of pictorial art in early China as well as the earliest known portrait in Chinese paintings. On the banner it can be divided into four different parts. Each little quadrant has something different that has to do with Lady Dai and the afterlife. In the first quadrant it shows what seems to be a heavenly realm of sorts. At the top of the banner two men face each other and seem to be guarding the gates to heaven. While directly above the two men we see a deity with a head like a human and the body of a dragon. On the left side of the deity a toad/frog appears to be stands on a crescent moon. While on the right we see a crow standing on what seems to be the sun. The next quadrant shows Lady Dai and her attendants. In the upper middle of the banner we see Lady Dai in a embroidered silken robe lean on a staff. With Lady Dai are five of her servants. This portrait of Lady Dai is one of the earliest Chinese painted portraits of a specific individual. On either side of Lady Dai dragons border the frame of the scene and right below her the two dragons loop through a disc like object. In the scene it shows Lady Dai in the afterlife getting ready to ascend into heaven. In the third quadrant it shows the body of Lady Dai surrounded by mourners. In the bottom middle of the banner is a scene of Lady Dai deceased body being mourned over. In the foreground their are offering while in the middle ground is mourners on either side mourning the loss of Lady Dai. Looking closely at the banner you can see patterns that match the robes that Lady Dai was wearing in the above scene. Finally, in the last quadrant it show what appears to be the underworld/hell. At the very bottom of the banner right below the mourning scene is the underworld. In the scene there are many different creatures such as two giant black fish, a red snake, a pair of blue goats, and an unknown deity. The deity seems to be holding up the floor of the mourning scene. I myself find this banner to be very beautiful and unique. It gives us a glimpse into the Han Dynasties religious faith. Just like the other burials like the Sutton Hoo burial and the Egyptian pharaohs. Lady Dai was also buried with all kinds of different objects to make her life in the afterlife comfortable just like it was when she was living.