Mogao Cave 98

Mogao Cave 98 was constructed during Five Dynasties (907---960AD). This cave, with a square main chamber in shape, has a truncated pyramidal ceiling and a central altar on which stands a back screen connecting the ceiling. This is a popular cave form in the Five Dynasties and Song. The votive inscriptions on the sidewalls of the corridor indicate that it was probably constructed in the Tongguang era (923- 925) in honor of Cao Yijing, commander of the Return-to-Allegiance Army. The center of the ceiling features a motif of a coiled dragon and a parrot encircled by curving tendril and geometrical patterns. The rounded niches in the four comers of the ceiling each contain an image of the four Lokapalas in armor and with crowns. On the sidewalls are eight large- sized sutra illustrations.
During the Five Dynasties, Dunhuang ruled by the Return-to-Allegiance Army controlled by Cao Family, was related to Uighur and Khotan by marriage alliance in order to keep Dunhuang peaceful. Hence the portrait of Li Shengtian, king of Khotan, appeared on the south side of the east wall, which is 2. 82 meters high and the largest donor figure at the Mogao Grottoes. The portrait wears a Mianliu decorated with an image of the Big Dipper, and is dressed in an imperial robe, very similar to those images of Chinese Emperors. Behind him is a portrait of his wife, the Uighur Princess, and donor figures of Cao Family.