A Study on Honeysuckle Pattern in Yungang Grottoes From the Perspective of Semiotics

Buddhism was introduced to China during the Han Dynasty and took root in China,integrating with local culture.The classic pattern of honeysuckle in Buddhism,as a type of border decoration,was also introduced to China with the eastward advancement of Buddhism.This article aims to conduct a semiotic study on the patterns of honeysuckle patterns in the Yungang Grottoes.Firstly,the concept of honeysuckle patterns was explained,and typical honeysuckle patterns that appeared in the Yungang Grottoes were systematically organized and classified.Then,with the help of semiotic principles,the production of symbols for honeysuckle patterns in the Yungang Grottoes was analyzed from a semiotic perspective.Based on this,the semiotic characteristics of honeysuckle patterns in the Yungang Grottoes and their signifier and referent systems were analyzed in depth.Finally,the shape and connotation of honeysuckle patterns in their evolution and development were summarized.The honeysuckle pattern occupies an important position in the history of traditional patterns in China,so the honeysuckle pattern in Yungang Grottoes,as a decorative theme,not only has important research significance,but its semiotic value is also worth exploring and studying.

An Exploration of Tourism Translation Strategies from the Perspective of the Skopos Theory—A Case Study of English Introductions of Yungang Grottoes

Skopos Theory emphasizes that the purpose of translation is to allow readers to fully understand the content of the text,which coincides with the purpose of the tourism text.Taking world cultural heritage-Yungang Grottoes as an example,this thesis explores tourism translation strategies from perspective of Skopos Theory.

Concentrations,sources,and influential factors of water-soluble ions of atmospheric particles in Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes,a world heritage site in China

Atmospheric particle pollution is one of the major factors leading to degradation of ancient wall paintings,particularly heritage sites in arid and semi-arid regions.However,current systematic research on the changes,sources,and influential factors of atmospheric particulate matter and its water-soluble ion concentrations is not sufficient.Thus,the major water-soluble ion concentrations,sources,and influential factors of atmospheric particles PM_(2.5) and PM_(10)(particulate matter with an aerodynamic equivalent diameter≤2.5 and 10.0μm,respectively,in ambient air)were collected from Cave 16 and its ambient exterior environment in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes,China,between April 2015 and March 2016.Results showed that the concentrations of PM_(2.5) and PM_(10) inside and outside the cave were the highest in March 2016 and the lowest in December 2015.The higher particle concentration from March to May was related to the frequent occurrence of sand and dust events,and the lower particle concentration from June to September was associated with good diffusion conditions,increased precipitation,and an established cave shelterbelt.The concentration of particulate matter inside the cave was affected by the concentration of particles in the air outside the cave.Ca2+,NH+4,Na+,Cl-,and SO2-4were the main components of the total ions of PM_(2.5) and PM_(10) both inside and outside the cave.The total ions inside the cave were frequently affected by the disturbance of tourists'activities during the peak tourist season from May to August.Under the influence of dust,the total concentrations of Cl-,SO2-4,Na+,NH+4,and Ca2+in particles of different sizes inside and outside the cave increased,and the concentrations of Cl-,SO2-4,Na+,and Ca2+decreased during precipitation period.Backward air mass trajectory analysis suggested that the pollutants were mainly from Xinjiang,China.The pollutant sources of air particulates are straw burning,secondary pollution sources,soil dust,dry spring rivers,and tourist activities.

Overall efficiency of a V-shaped nylon net fence in preventing sand damage to the Mogao Grottoes

A V-shaped nylon net fence installed in 1990 on top of the Mogao Grottoes is shown to be effectively resisting aeolian sand damage to the grottoes. The structure guides and causes deposition of sand from westerly wind （the primary hard wind）, but to some extent hinders the inverse function of easterly wind carrying sand away from the grottoes toward Mount Mingsha. The gobi side by the fence experiences higher wind speed, so that on which are easily formed undercutting pits, and the deposited sands on it generally form double-peak structures due to abundant sand sources. If the earth surface characteristics in gobi areas by both sides of the fence are quite varied, the erosion and deposition features of the accumulating sand section are similar in different seasons; however, if the earth surface characteristics are similar, the features become irregular in different seasons. Sand depositions with long slope feet are formed along the south and north sides of V-shaped nylon net fence. Disrupted by strong westerly wind and northwesterly wind, sand accumulations by north of the fence are in form of single peaks. Although the operation duration of the V-shaped nylon net fence has exceeded its design life （10 years）, our observations indicate that it is still effective in reducing wind-driven sand damages to the Mogao Grottoes, so it should not be withdrawn.

Grottoes Discovered in Tibet

ChinesearchaeologistShavediscoveredZI^sinZandaCOUnty,NgedOfTibet.Scatteredover3,onsquarekilometers,theyaretheremainsOfananciotkingdom.Grottoes Discovered in Tibet...

Redrawing Frescoes of Dunhuang Grottoes and Their Application in Costume History Research

This paper explores the relationship between costume history research and the redrawing of frescoes of Dunhnang Grottoes. Redrawing frescoes could provide evidences for costume history research, and the research can correspondingly help the rodrawing. Redrawing frescoes, for the purpose of costume history study, must comply with some specific rules, which are different from those of other studies. The present study also discusses the methods to distinguish, the original fresco colors that have faded or changed after more than one thousand years.

Original State of Grotto Eaves of the Daxiang Mountain Grottoes of Gangu County

Located in the east of Gansu Province, Gangu County in Tianshui City is the only way that people went to the Central Plains from the western regions in ancient times, and it's also an important node of the Grotto Culture Corridor of the Silk Road. Daxiang Mountain Giant Buddha Grottoes is the landmark of Gangu County. The giant Buddha statue stands among cliffs 200 meters high above the ground, and it is the second largest stone-base clay-sculpture Buddha in China. After going through thousands of years, the Giant Buddha Grottoes needs effective and scientific protection. This article was originated from the actual project—The Research on the Construction Technology of Wooden-structure Grotto Eaves in the Daxiang Mountain. This article f inished the rebuilding plan for the Buddha Grotto Eaves on the basis of analyzing historical documents, hole traces, morphological evolution and image demonstration.

Architectural Space of Kizil Grottoes Based on the Spirit of Place

As a Buddhist architecture,Kizil Grottoes have important spiritual and cultural value because of its religious spiritual attribute and its growth in a special geographical environment and historical and cultural background.By using the methods of literature collection and field investigation,and taking the place spirit as the theoretical guidance,this paper studies and discusses the architectural layout,spatial form and functional function of different types of caves,and seeks the correlation between architectural material form and consciousness spirit,thereby expounding the place spirit of spatial identity and cultural belonging contained in Buddhist architecture of Kizil Grottoes.

Yungang Grottoes and Buddhist Restoration

IT was in the year 453 that the monk Tan Yao hurried to Pingcheng （present-day Datong in Shanxi Province） through the barren Loess Plateau of northern Shanxi. He had been summoned by the newly enthroned Emperor Wencheng of the Northern Wei Dynasty （386-534）. Seven years previously he had run for his life along the same route,

Implementation of"impression Kizil grottoes"exhibition

Selecting Kizil grottoes as research target, this article discussed a new mode of integration of culture and science. Througha combination of website technologies HTML5 and PHP, ＂impression.Kizil grottoes online exhibition＂ is realized. The main functions include contents show, database connection operation, information publication and layout design, it can satisfy application requirements of dynamic website.

Longmen Grottoes

The Longmen Grottoes comprise more than 2,300 caves and niches carved into the steep limestone cliffs. These contain almost 110,000 stone Buddhist statues, more than 60 stupas and 2,800 inscriptions carved on steles. Luoyang was China＇s capital during the late North- ern Wei Dynasty （386-534） and early Tang Dynasty （618 907）, and the most intensive period of carving dates from the end of the fifth century to the mid eighth century.

Yungang Grottoes

Yungang Grottoes are hailed as a miracle in Chinese art with time-honored history, large scale, rich contents and superb carvings. The whole Yungang Grottoes is dignified with prominent themes, and can be divided into east, central and west parts, and the niches are densely distributed like a honeycomb.

Two Grotto Lovers

ERIN Lynch and Duncan Collis say they adore the grottoes of Wulong. Erin, an American, is completing a master’s degree in hydrology,while Duncan,an Aussie,used to work in IT before he left it all behind to study grottoes.He says his new line of work is a ＂very fulfilling passion.＂

A Sense of Community for the Chinese Nation Embodied in the Musical Dance Art of Early Dunhuang Grottoes

The musical dance art recorded in early Dunhuang Grottoes,though supposed to be created by ancient northern ethnic groups such as the Hun and Xianbei,gives expression to a strong thought of"Chinafication"and a sense of community for the Chinese nation.By analyzing the essence and content of the musical dance art in the Dunhuang Grottoes created during the Northern Liang(A.D.397-460),Northern Wei(A.D.386-534),Western Wei(A.D.535-556)and Northern Zhou(A.D.557-581)Dynasties,and by exploring the contribution of ancient ethnic groups such as the Hun and Xianbei in the formation and development of Chinese nation,this study reveals that the musical dance art in early Dunhuang Grottoes faithfully reflects the community pattern of the Chinese nation featured by"unity in diversity"developed since ancient times,and hopes that the future research and creation may expand their horizon by incorporating the musical dance art of early Dunhuang Grottoes into the system of contemporary Dunhuang dance.

Laboratory test on moisture adsorption-desorption of wall paintings at Mogao Grottoes, China

Moisture adsorption-desorption tests (MATs) were conducted on simulated mural plaster specimens under different air temperatures (ATs) and relative humidity (RH) to investigate the possible effect of seasonal alteration and visitors’ breath on the deterioration of Mogao Grottoes, Dunhuang, China. Saturated salt solutions were used to maintain a constant RH, and plant growth cabinets were used to maintain a constant or varying temperature in the simulation test. The weight of specimen was periodically measured to determine the adsorbed or desorbed moisture. Test data illustrate that the desorption process is far quicker than the adsorption one, indicating that it is possible to inhibit the disadvantage effect from visitors, such as shortening the staying time in caves. In case of high humidity, an accumulated moisture adsorption was found to correspond to the varying temperature. On the other hand, in case of low humidity, accumulated moisture desorption corresponded. Test data imply that opening caves more often to visitors in humid seasons should be avoided so as to prevent continuous wetting of wall paintings.

Sand drift encroachment in the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes District and its control

Analysis on sand drift damages to the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes showed that the actual sand drift hazards in the area are mainly attributed to the gobi wind-sand stream formed by sand coming from the Mingsha Mountain (megadune), while the migration of the megadune and its frontal edge dunes is actually not a major threat to the grottoes. The gobi belt on the cliff top of the Mogao Grottoes is not only a natural sand transport field but also a natural protective screen which prevents the megadune and its frontal edge dunes from advancing towards the grottoes or burying the grottoes. Therefore efforts to protect the Mogao Grottoes should be focussed on halting the gobi wind-sand stream rather than on checking the migration of sand dunes. For this reason, effective sand blockade and stabilization measures should be adopted at the frontal edge of the megadune but no sand retarding works are allowed to be set up in the gobi belt so as to avoid sand accumulation and entering the grottoes.

Grotto Heritage Highlight

Chinese-Japanese scientists make conservation breakthrough on 1,500-year-old Buddhist caves After eight years of hard work, the conservation and restoration project at the Kumtura Thousand Buddha Caves in