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Plate 18.10 (left) Figure of Mārīcī, excavated from the tombs of
Ming royal family members located in Qichun. Gold with semi-
precious stones, height 11.7cm; width 8.8cm, depth 2cm, weight
129.9g. Qichun Museum, Qichun, Hubei province

Plate 18.11 (above) Figure of the Three Pure Ones, excavated from
the tombs of Ming royal family members located in Qichun. Gold
with semi-precious stones, height 12cm, width 14cm, weight
136.6g. Qichun Museum, Qichun, Hubei province

A larger number of religious objects made of gold and Diversity in religious attitudes led to diversity in religious
silver have been found in the tombs of Ming royal family life. This is evident in the tombs and burial objects of Ming
members located in Qichun. Among the discoveries are Han princes and their relatives. Religious accommodation and
Chinese Buddhist images, such as of the Bodhisattva appropriation had become the mainstream. This shows that
Guanyin 觀音 (Pl. 18.9), as well as Tibetan Buddhist subject Ming royal family members still had considerable freedom
matter, such as the deity Mārīcī (Pl. 18.10). A representation to make their own choices with regards to religious beliefs.
of the Three Pure Ones (Sanqing 三清), the supreme deities of
Daoism (Pl. 18.11), is particularly notable, as it is rare Notes
among gold and silver images from the period. While these 1 Zhu Zhen’s biography is recorded in his tomb epitaph. See Hubei
objects are undoubtedly luxury items owned by royal family sheng wenwu kaogu yanjiusuo et al. 2003, 17.
members of the Prince of Jing lineage, they are also objects 2 Hubei sheng wenwu kaogu yanjiusuo et al. 2003. For discussions in
English about this tomb, see Clunas 2005–6, 3–7; Yang Xiaoneng
that provide their owners with spiritual solace and support. 2006, 43–4.
3 For the biography of Prince Xian of Xiang, see MS 117, 3581. For
Conclusion discussions in English about this prince, see Clunas 2013, 54–5.
Analysis of the royal tombs in Hubei reveals many burial 4 For a discussion of Ming princes and Daoism, including Prince
Xian of Xiang, see Wang 2012.
customs and objects that are closely related to religious 5 Wang Yucheng 1994, 148–9.
beliefs. Princes and royal family members, from different 6 Transcribed from tablet. See also Wang Yucheng 1994, 148.
areas and time periods, held diverse religious attitudes. 7 Jingzhou bowuguan 2009.
Historically, Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism 8 Prince Jing of Ying’s biography is recorded in his tomb epitaph.
See Yuan Wenqing, Long Yongfang and Zhou Daiwei 2007, 50.
intermingled, influenced and propelled one another. In their 9 Yuan Wenqing, Long Yongfang and Zhou Daiwei 2007; Yuan
engagement with different religions, members of the Ming Wenqing and Zhou Daiwei 2007.
royal family selected aspects that suited their needs. On the 10 Hubei sheng wenwu kaogu yanjiusuo and Zhongxiang shi
whole, the strategy of the Ming government towards bowuguan 2007. For discussions of this tomb in English, see Clunas
2013, ch. 5; Clunas 2005–6, 7–11; Yang Xiaoneng 2006, 44–5.
religions involved accommodation, utilisation and control. 11 Xiaotun 1958.
Confucianism remained the basis for governing the state, as 12 MSL Taizu shilu 63.1a, 4/閏3/己未.
expressed in the Ming founder’s instruction to his sons:
To explain the classics and histories, cultivate one’s moral
character, connect the ancient and the present, so that one can
carry the weight of the state of all under Heaven.
講說經史，蓄養德性，博通古今，庶可以存籍天下國家之重 12

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