Unit 8 South East and South Asia Vocabulary

  1. Bi

    A structure or artifact created to commemorate the dead, often used for burial or as a memorial site such as stupas or tombs

  2. Dynasty

    A succession of rulers from the same family or lineage, often defining distinct cultural and artistic periods in East and Southeastern Asian history.

  3. Axis Mundi

    A concept of the central point connecting the heavens, the earth, and underworld, often symbolized in sacred spaces or architecture like stupas or pagodas.

  4. Zen Garden

    A japanese rock garden designed for meditation and contemplation, featuring elements such as sand, rocks, and minimal vegetation.

  5. Empress Dowager

    The mother or widow of an emperor who holds significant political or cultural influence in dynastic rule.

  6. Emperor

    The supreme ruler of an empire, often seen as a divine or semi divine figure in East Asian cultures with influence over art and culture.

  7. Dharma

    Hinduism and Buddhism refers to the moral and spiritual duties, law or truth that governs an individuals life and supports universal order.

  8. Terracotta

    A type of clay based ceramic material often used for creation sculptures, tiles, or architectural elements prominent in South and SE Asian art.

  9. Circumambulate

    The act of walking around a sacred object or structure, such as a stupa, typically performed as a meditative or devotional practice.

  10. Verism

    A style of realism in art emphasizing the truthful and detailed depiction of subjects often associated with the portrayal of individuals.

  11. Silk Road

    An ancient network of trade routes connecting east Asia central Asia the middle east and Europe instrumental in the exchange of goods ideas and art.

  12. Wood block print

    A print making technique involving carving an image into a wooden block, inking it,and pressing it onto paper, widely used in east asian art.

  13. Eurasia

    The combined land mass of Europe and Asia significant in the context of cultural exchanges facilitated by trade routes like the Silk Road.

  14. Cultural Revolution

    A political and social movement in china 1966- 76 led by Mao Zedong which aimed to preserve communist ideology and led to the destruction of traditional cultural artifacts and practices.

  15. Sutras

    Sacred texts or scriptures in Buddhism and Hinduism often presenting teachings or rules in concise aphoristic statements.

  16. Filigree

    A delicate ornamental technique in metal work jewelry and decoration characterized by intricate laced like patterns.

  17. reliquary

    A container or structure designed to house and protect sacred relics such as the remains of saints or objects of religions significance

  18. Sepuichral monument

    A circular jade disc with a central hole often associated with Chinese funerary art and symbolizing the heavens or eternity.