The Mawangdui tomb paintings has been analyzed very carefully by a number of experts who have different interpretations based on the belief systems prevalent at the time of Lady Dai's life and death. Given how rich Chinese history is, in terms of its beliefs, there are a number of texts and sources that can be used to explain this four-layered coffin and that has become the subject of much debate (Holloway). In the first reading, the question as to why paintings are even kept in tombs is asked and where one reaches the conclusion that it is probably assumed that the dead might come back to Life. The first theory discusses the painting at length in explaining each and every coffin, the banner, paintings and inscriptions and their probable meaning. This theory also deals with why the paintings were placed in the tomb. It is merely a means, according to the theorist, to merely revitalize the dead through soul-summoning – an ancient Chinese funerary ritual – where by the representation of the conjugation of the yin-yang forces in the images, one hopes to attain a place in heaven above.
Of course, there are other theorist of this painting who disagree in stating that this entire arrangement for Lady Dai has nothing to do with soul-summoning or just about anything in the underground home built for the lady but merely represent a collection of divergent beliefs that were prevalent at the time in China and which found themselves a part of the funerary rituals held at the time. Each of the tombs that nested within each other and their inscriptions or paintings represent the four realms of the dead such as the universe, underworld, immortal paradise and the underground household where the lady will live not very different from how she did during her time when she was alive. In fact, the representation of all these realms also point to the fact that Lady Dai has become a part of this eternal paradise and there is no expectation that she will return again.
Given these conflicting theories about the Mawangdui tomb coffin of Lady Dai, one can't help but agree with the latter, thanks to the presence of an underground home where she would live happily being fed that she did when she was alive apart from a number of other items. There were no illusions about wanting to bring the dead back to life but just an acceptance that death was merely the transition to another life altogether. This elaborate preparation in the form of four nested coffins, a banner as well as an underground home merely point to the notion that those who buried her, while being unhappy to see her pass away, wanted to ensure she enjoyed all the comforts that she had when she was alive. As mentioned earlier, they wanted to maintain both the old and new funerary rituals and which is why the created such an elaborate coffin for Lady Dai.
In closing, since it is difficult to explain such an elaborate arrange for Lady Dai, one cannot help but conclude in agreement with the latter author who believes that this funerary ritual is a product of divergent values and beliefs. Yet there is no doubt that since the preservation of Lady Dai was carried out in both a practical and symbolic sense within the inner tomb, their acceptance of the fact that she has truly passed into the afterlife was evident.
Works Cited
Holloway, April. "The Enduring Mystery of the Lady of Dai Mummy." Ancient Origins. 19 February 2014. Web. 2 February 2017. <http://www.ancient-origins.net/ancient-places-asia/enduring-mystery-lady-dai-mummy-001357/>
