An Archaeological Perspective on Character Modeling and Religious Imagery in the Heroic Epic Janggar

Abstract

Heroic epics possess a unique charm and constitute a significant part of human spiritual culture. This paper explores the character modeling and the comparison of religious imagery in the heroic epic Janggar from an archaeological perspective. By tracing the origins of the epic Janggar, we aim to understand the characteristics of its characters and analyze their portrayal to deeply grasp the main themes of the epic. Additionally, we compare these characters with religious images in terms of polytheistic implications, the emotional externalization of religious sacrifice customs, and the religious traits of leadership figures. Through this research, we aim to reflect the Mongolian people's yearning and pursuit of a better life, gain a deeper understanding of the values and cultural connotations conveyed by the epic, and provide a basis for the protection of cultural inheritance and development.