A Look at the Mingling Features of the Regional Culture of Nanyang in the Han Dynasty from the Portrait of "Cattle-Tiger Show" Chiseled in the Han-Dynasty Stone Relief

The Nanyang Han-Dynasty stone relief,an art form of tomb decorations prevalent among classes of noblemen,landlords and merchants dwelling in Nanyang,is a precious cultural gem mingling the local cultural traditions of Nanyang with that of the Chu Culture,the Ba and Shu Culture,the Central Plains Culture,etc.in the Spring and Autumn and the Warring States Period.In this regard,the portrait of Cattle-Tiger Show in the Han-Dynasty stone relief is a vivid expression of such mingling effects,in that the cattle was worshipped as the evils-banishing divine animal by the locals of Nanyang,and so was the tiger by people in the Ba culture and the bear by people in the Chu culture.The communication and interaction between different cultures lay the foundation for the regional culture of Nanyang coming into being.Whereas,the geographical location,population mobility,developed business and commerce,and special political status of Nanyang,among others,all had made such cultural interactions a reality,thus contributing to the formation of distinctive properties of the culture of Nanyang.