Upcoming ExhibitionsBack

The Northern Dynasties were established in North China by nomadic peoples of the northern steppes, who pushed the Han court into South China. By the end of the 5th century, however, the capital was moved south to Luoyang, and the government led efforts to actively promote Han Chinese culture. During this time, the Confucian ideals of filial piety and fraternal respect became deeply ingrained in the societal foundation of the Northern Dynasties.
The Confucian treatise, the Classic of Filial Piety (Ch. Xiaojing), which is deeply connected to Han culture, teaches that “the highest filial piety leads to divine God.” This belief gave rise to the mystical and dramatic tales of filial children, exemplified by figures like Dong An, as recorded in the “Biographies of Filial Offspring” (Ch. Xiaozi zhuan). These accounts resulted in numerous illustrated tales of filial children, which were engraved on burial furnishings. Interestingly, the illustrated biographies of filial offspring created by the people of the Northern Dynasties reflect their activities across the vast Asian continent, from east to west. Hidden within these works are various elements from the western regions of China, revealing a fascinating cultural synthesis.