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University of Macau / Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities / Department of English

This thesis addresses the question of how the Mongol imperium’s patronage in combination with Quanzhen Taoist proselytism inspired the mural paintings and architectural forms of the Yonglegong永樂宮. The Taoist temple of Yonglegong was constructed during the Yuan dynasty (1279-1368) on the site of the former residence of the Taoist immortal L? Dongbin呂洞賓. During the period of the temple’s construction from 1244 to 1358, the Quanzhen 全真order, to which the Yonglegong was affiliated, thrived under the Mongol imperium. Previous scholarship has emphasized the Quanzhen order’s autonomous and exclusive role in the formation of Yonglegong. An analysis of the development of the Quanzhen from its establishment in late Jin dynasty (1115-1234) to its rise to prominence during the Yuan suggests that it received significant imperial supports and thus was not wholly autonomous. The Quanzhen order’s development was intertwined with and propounded by imperial patronage. The Yonglegong’s status as one the three holiest patriarch halls of the order ensured its centrality as a showpiece of the Mongol-Quanzhen collaboration. This study explores the iconographic innovations of Chaoyuantu 朝元圖 (Paying homage to the Origins), a representation of the Taoist universe, a subject that existed in pre-Yuan art; and the Hagiography of L? Dongbin, a new category of Taoist imagery. These two mural painting programs show different modes of appropriation. In the Chaoyuantu, the Mongol imperium altered the scheme of depiction and inserted new iconography in order to register their claims over established traditions of representation. As for the depiction of L? Dongbin, prior to Yonglegong, the immortal was only represented in single scenes, not in a fully developed biographical narrative. The Hagiography of L? Dongbin represents arguably a new genre of narrative depiction that facilitated an alternative ideology. Such alterations are regarded in this thesis as evidence that illustrates the shared interests of the Mongol imperium and the Quanzhen order as they intersected. In comparison with the mural paintings, the Yuan dynasty architectural structures’ significance has not been adequately recognized in earlier scholarship. This thesis reexamines the implications of the architectural features’ parameters and the unique alignment of structures in the Yonglegong. As such this study acknowledges the Yonglegong’s multiple identities as a complex that serves both the imperial and religious interests. It also evaluates the extent to which the architectural structures directed the organization and presentation of the mural paintings they housed. Through the reclamation of Yongleong’s historical context, aligned as it was with a Mongol-Quanzhen collaboration, this study recognizes the larger significance of the temple complex. The Mongol imperium in combination with the Quanzhen order have given rise to a new formulation of Taoist mural paintings and architecture with new iconography, themes and modes of representation. / published_or_final_version / Fine Arts / Master / Master of Philosophy

 The group cave-temples in Dunguang, Gansu Province of north-western China offer an unparalleled display of grotto art of over a thousand years from the fourth century to the fourteenth century. They represent a microcosm of ancient and medieval civilizations, providing us with enormous opportunities of heritage experience and understanding. However, these grotto treasures are extremely fragile. Over the centuries they have been suffering from serious deterioration and damage due to human and natural causes, and in recent decades the ever-increasing visitor load has posed even greater threat to the murals. The emerging trend of using advanced technology in the preservation and the interpretation of the grotto art offers new possibilities of remote access and interpretation which shall enhance understanding and enjoyment of the cultural treasures. This dissertation sets out to examine such trend of digital interpretation of heritage in off-site scenarios. The research includes a background of the study, the significance of the Dunhuang Caves, the application of new technology, followed by a case study of re-presenting and interpreting one of the Dunhuang caves in Hong Kong. / published_or_final_version / Conservation / Master / Master of Science in Conservation

The Man Mo Temple（文武廟）Compound on Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, which comprises three blocks, namely Man Mo Temple, Lit Shing Kung （列聖宮） and Kung Sor（公所）, were built in 1847 . The Temple was built mainly for the worship of Man Cheong (God of Literature, 文昌) and Mo Tai (God of Martial Arts, 武帝). It was important assembly hall where Chinese people discussed issues and resolved disputes in early colonial period. The Temple represented the traditional social organization and religious practices of the Chinese community in the past. The aim of this study examines the development of Man Mon Temple from 1840s to 1908. This thesis contains six main chapters. The first chapter is literature review of previous researches for Man Mo Temple, as well as presents the objectives and methodology of the thesis. The second chapter explores the reasons for its establishment. The third chapter describes the development of architecture of temple. The forth chapter describes and analyses the Guandi worship （關帝信仰）and Wenchang belief （文昌信仰）in Hong Kong. The fifth chapter evaluates the significance of Man Mo Temple on different periods. The temple provided religious service, also as sponsor the charitable work of the Chinese community. It analyses the change of the temple’s function in colonial period. The final chapter is a conclusion how the Man Mo Temple shift to accommodate changing needs of the colonial development. / published_or_final_version / Chinese Historical Studies / Master / Master of Arts

This thesis examines the complex interplay between colonial modernity and Sakta (goddess-centered) devotion in the context of an elite family of zamindars (landholders) in Bengal. One consequence of colonialism in Bengal was the efflorescence of overt Sakta religiosity among Bengal's elite. Religious practice, supposedly "protected" by the colonial order, became the site where indigenous elites expressed political will and, to an extent, resisted foreign domination. I argue that the zamindars of Bansberia in the Hugli district of Bengal were creative agents, engaging and resisting the various cultural ruptures represented by colonial rule in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Employing analyses of archival material, contemporary ethnography, and architectural style, this thesis is an ethnohistory of a modern zamindari-kingdom that locates its political voice in an emblematic Sakta-Tantric temple. It demonstrates the powerful relationship between religion and politics in colonial Bengal and discusses the implications of this strong association in the contemporary context.

Thesis (M.S.)--Brigham Young University. Dept. of Industrial Education. / Bibliography: leaves 95-96.

Thesis (D.Phil.)--University of Oxford, 2008. / Supervisor: Dr Janet DeLaine. Bibliography: leaves 246-259.

Thesis (Ph.D.) - University of Queensland, 2005. / Includes bibliography.

This thesis examines the development of the cult of the Dioscuri in Rome from the mid-Republic to the end of the Julio-Claudian dynasty. This was a period of great political and social upheaval and of religious change. Through a detailed examination of the cult of the Dioscuri, I trace how the cult developed and adapted in conjunction with religious, political and cultural changes within Roman society. I furthermore examine how the cult changed and explore the reasons why those changes occurred at that time and in that place. Chapter One surveys the two temples of Castor and Pollux in Rome, focusing in particular on their temple in the Roman Forum. Using archaeological and literary evidence, I argue that this temple was a central stage for many of the pivotal events and speeches of the late Republic. Chapter Two examines the epiphanies of the Dioscuri, most commonly associated with battles and their aftermath, although later appearing to commemorate the deaths of prominent individuals such as Julius Caesar and Drusus the Elder. I examine how the epiphanic tradition of the Dioscuri changed over time and ask why it was these gods in particular who rode to aid Rome. Chapter Three turns to exploring the relationships Castor and Pollux were said to possess with groups in Roman society, in particular horsemen, boxers and sailors. I examine how these relationships were formed and publicised and how they benefitted both the mortals and the gods. Chapter Four explores how a different aspect of the Dioscuri became prominent in the imperial period: their fraternal harmony. Castor and Pollux were linked to and compared with pairs of potential imperial successors. I explore the purposes of this comparison and how apt it was for the different pairings. Throughout this thesis, I examine some of the most prominent aspects of the cult of the Dioscuri in Rome within the wider context of history, culture and politics, arguing that the cult was a fully integrated part of Roman society as a whole.