Tomb Painting

200-800 AD
Astana Cemetery, Xinjiang

Astana, located 6km (3.7mi) north of Gaochang, was a cemetery for elite Chinese residents (merchants, officials) of Gaochang during the Tang period. The painting's symbolism relates to Confucian virtues: an official should be incorruptible like jade (green figure), superior (like gold) without being proud, and so forth. It is a very precious painting from ancient times.