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Statues of clairvoyance and clairaudience uncovered in Dazu Rock Carvings

By Bi Nan | chinadaily.com.cn | Updated: 2017-03-01 14:53

Statues of clairvoyance and clairaudience uncovered in Dazu Rock Carvings

The statue of clairvoyance in the Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing municipality. [Photo/The official Wechat account of Dazu Rock Carvings]

What do the mythical figures of clairvoyance and clairaudience look like and what weapons do they use? The answers could be found in the world-renowned Dazu Rock Carvings in Chongqing municipality.

Head researcher of the Dazu Rock Carvings, Li Xiaoqiang, said experts have confirmed that two 1.82-meter-high statues in the grotto in Shimenshan depict clairvoyance, known for his ability to see thousands of miles in the distance, and clairaudience, known for his equally super human skills when it comes to hearing. It is quite rare for them to be seen together in grottoes.

The two mythological generals, dating back to the Southern Song Dynasty (1127-1279) in 1147, are carved near the statue of the Jade Emperor (the Taoist ruler of heaven and all realms of existence below), who stand beside two servants at each side of the emperor.

The statue of clairvoyance has two big eyes like copper bells and two ribbons are floating at the rear of his head. Wearing armor, the man raises his left hand to his breast, holding a cylinder, while he has a spear in his right hand.

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