Etude sur les zhenmushou de l'epoque tang
Institution:
Paris 7Disciplines:
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Abstract EN:
The common name zhenmushou ("animal tomb guardians") indicates these half-human half-animal statues representing fantastic beings which were generally found at the entrance of chinese funeral chambers. According to the popular beliefs, their magical power was to ward off evil spirits and therefore to guarantee eternal peace for th dead. They reached their apogee under the tang dynasty (7th and 8th centuries) and disappeared afterwards. Thus, the purpose of this study is to trace their origins and their meanings at that time. According to literary sources, what now we call zhenmushou is one of the many forms of traditional chinese exorcism, which expresses also in the danuo rite. The qitou, sort of an ugly and grotesque head, was very likely worn by the exorcist (fangxiang) during the annual or seasonal nuo rite, as well as during funeral ceremonies. Qitou would be the ancient name for zhenmushou. Besides, the analysis of archeological evidence enlightens the influence of buddhism - especially in stylistic elements - and reveals also the existence of important links with persia and central asia.
Abstract FR:
Les zhenmushou, "animaux gardiens de tombe", sont des statues representant des etres fantastiques, a forme mi-humaine, mi-animale, qui etaient disposees a l'entree des chambres funeraires chinoises. Dotes selon l'imaginaire populaire d'un pouvoir surnaturel, ils etaient censes chasser les mauvais esprits et garantir le repos du defunt. Apres avoir connu leur apogee sous la dynastie tang (7eme et 8eme siecle), ils disparurent. C'est donc a cette epoque que nous les etudions afin de retracer leurs origines et significations. D'apres les sources litteraires, ce que nous appelons aujourd'hui les zhenmushou est l'une des expressions du vieil exorcisme chinois, exprime dans le rite danuo. Le gitou, sorte de tete laide et gritesque, probablement portee par l'exorciste (fangxiang) pendant les rites annuels et saisonniers du nuo, ou les rites funeraires, serait l'appellation ancienne des zhenmushou. D'autre part, l'analyse des donnees archeologiques revele des apports bouddhiques - notamment sur le plan stylistique - et sans doute l'existence d'echanges importants, des cette epoque, avec la perse et l'asie centrale.