The murals at Huashan show scenes of ritual activities and daily life among the Luo people. According to expert research, the creation date of these rock paintings can be traced back to the Warring States period to the Eastern Han dynasty, which has a history of over 2,000 years, left behind by ancient Luoyue people in the Liangshan area. The rocks were painted with ocher-colored iron oxide powder using grass or feathers as brushes. The murals depict figures, animals, and objects, including characters that only show their heads, necks, bodies, and limbs without facial features. The basic poses are divided into front-facing and side-view types. Front-faced human figures stand tall, measuring over 2 meters high, with both arms stretched out to the sides, elbows raised above head level, legs spread apart in a half-squatting position, and belts worn with long swords or spears slung across their waists. Side- facing figures are numerous and smaller than front-facing ones; they have both arms extending from chest-forward, raising them above, taking steps forward with legs, and looking to one side while jumping. Animal images mainly feature dogs in profile positions, running swiftly. Object depictions primarily include swords, spears, bronze drums, copper horns, and bell-shaped horns. These murals overlap but are arranged as single units, filling the entire painting. This may be a record of ritual activities or an initiation ceremony for shamanic culture, left behind by the Luo people in southern China.
This mural showcases dynamic yet rich social lives and religious ceremonies among the Luoyue people, demonstrating their cultural practices during a time when bronze drum rituals were popular throughout southern China.
The Guangxi Museum has detailed group introductions. It’s not recommended to go there in person, and after a few hours of driving you may or may not have boat access to scenic spots; it takes over 2 hours just to take a look at rock paintings