Cultural Symbols and Artistic Expression of Music, Dance, and Variety Performances on Han Dynasty Pictorial Stones

Abstract

As an important funerary art form and cultural carrier, Han Dynasty stone sculptures reflect the political, economic, cultural and religious life of Han Dynasty society. The music, dance and acrobatic performances on the stone sculptures were not only an important part of the artistic expression of the Han Dynasty, but also contained rich cultural symbols and social functions. From a multi-dimensional perspective, combining the theoretical framework of semiotics, iconography and art history, this paper systematically analyzes the music, dance and acrobatic scenes in Han Dynasty stone sculptures. By interpreting the symbols and image features of these performing arts on the stone sculptures, this paper reveals the multiple meanings of these art forms in Han society, including their symbolic role in the social hierarchy, their function in religious ceremonies and their relationship with the cultural identity of Han Dynasty. The research results show that Han Dynasty stone sculptures not only show the diversity and complexity of social life at that time, but also carry the spiritual pursuit and cultural values of the Han people, providing a unique window to understand the social culture of the Han Dynasty.