Wenchang Dijun (God of Literature) on the Disk Stone
Wenchang Dijun (God of Literature) on the Disk Stone
Wenchang Dijun (God of Literature) on the Disk Stone
Wenchang Dijun (God of Literature) on the Disk Stone

Currently not on view

Wenchang Dijun (God of Literature) on the Disk Stone,

1854 (stone); late 19th to first half of 20th century (rubbing)

Zhang Xianghai 張香海, carving agent, juren degree 1835
Chinese
Qing dynasty, 1644–1912
y1958-258

Information

Title
Wenchang Dijun (God of Literature) on the Disk Stone
Dates

1854 (stone); late 19th to first half of 20th century (rubbing)

Maker
Zhang Xianghai 張香海 , carving agent
Medium
Hanging scroll; blue ink rubbing on paper
Dimensions
image: 67.5 x 42 cm. (26 9/16 x 16 9/16 in.) 86 x 47 cm. (33 7/8 x 18 1/2 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of George Rowley
Object Number
y1958-258
Place Made

Asia, China

Inscription
Top: 四川梓潼縣七曲山帝君盤陀石像 “Portrait of [Wenchang 文昌] dijun on the Disk Stone at Mount Qiqu, Zitong County, Sichuan.” Notes: 1. The Disk Stone (Pantuoshi盘陀石) is an oval shaped stone, 4 m. long, 2.8 m. wide, 0.85 m. tall. It was on this stone that Zhang Yazi 張亞子, later deified as Wenchang dijun, recited sutras and achieved Dao. The stone is presently inside the Pantuoshi Dian 盘陀石殿 hall in the Qiqushan Damiao 七曲山大庙 temple at Zitong 梓潼 county, Sichuan province. Left: Zhang Xianghai 張香海 (1835 juren degree), zi: Mouzi 牟子 大清咸豐甲寅[1854]閏七月 知縣事山左張香海謹摹上石 “On the 7th leap month of the jiayin cyclical year during the Xianfeng reign of the Great Qing, Zhang Xianghai from Shandong, the District Magistrate in charge of affairs, respectfully copied onto stone.”
Marks/Labels/Seals
“Zitong xian yin” 梓潼縣印, sq. relief (half characters, half magical figures)
Description

Under a tree along a shore with distant mountains, the Daoist deity Wenchang dijun (God of Literature) is depicted sitting on the Disk Stone (Pantuoshi盘陀石), an oval shaped platform upon which he recited sutras and achieved Dao. The deity is seated on a circular mat and his outer robe is decorated with the round designs of the Eight Trigrams around a yin-yang symbol on the shoulders and at the chest. A book lies on the stone platform. Kneeling at the front of the platform is an attendant or supplicant who a ruyi scepter or magic fungus. Another attendant stands at the back of the platform and carries a sword. Wenchang dijun has traditionally been appealed to by writers and scholars in need of inspiration or help before an exam.

At center above the scene an area of paper that was not inked has been left for a large seal belonging to Zitong county. A title is added across the top in seal-script calligraphy, and a short inscription with the date and carving agent is appended at left.

Culture
Chinese
Period
Qing
Type
rubbings
Subject
literature (writings), men, figures (representations)

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