The sacredness of Eastern Han Dynasty pictorial stones from the perspective of physicality

This study focuses on pictorial stones from Eastern Han tombs (25-220 CE) and adopts physicality as its core analytical perspective to explore the construction mechanism of sacredness in Han funerary culture. It constructs an interpretive framework of image narrativephysicality perceptionsacredness generation, integrating key elements of funerary practice: regional variations in pictorial expressions, physical practices of the living, ritualized burial postures of the deceased, including supine extended burial and flexed burial, and symbolic imagery on stone coffins, depicting figures like the Queen Mother of the West, Fuxi, and Nuwa, as well as immortal spirit beasts. These elements interact dynamically with tomb spatial layouts to fulfil the narrative of soul ascension. Physicality, as a core link, not only bridges the Han peoples beliefs in life and death but also transforms static spatial narratives into a symbiotic realm of heaven, earth, humans, and deities, thereby systematically revealing how sacredness was generated, activated, and reinforced in Eastern Han funerary culture. This research introduces a context-rich, practice-oriented perspective to the study of Eastern Han pictorial stones, while laying a foundation for future inquiries into expanding regional scopes and material types.