ABSTRACT
Objectives: This dissertation examines the secular music and dance of Dunhuang Mogao Caves, focusing on their origin, growth, characteristics, and cultural preservation, from the standpoint of art education. Methodology: The Mogao Caves in Dunhuang are renowned for its extensive collection of art and are considered a valuable repository of secular music and dance, representing a significant cultural heritage. From an art education standpoint, the secular music and dance art exhibited in the Mogao Grottoes offers significant educational assets for future generations. The murals and sculptures depict secular music and dance scenes from ancient culture in a vivid manner. They serve as valuable resources for art education, allowing students to watch, study, and conduct research. Results: By examining and inheriting the secular music and dance culture of the Mogao Grottoes, art education can enhance students’ comprehension of history, culture, and art. It can also foster students’ aesthetic sensibilities and artistic development, ignite their enthusiasm for painting, sculpture, and other artistic forms, and ultimately inspire their creative abilities and artistic expression. Conclusion: Hence, the transmission of secular music and dance traditions within the Mogao Caves holds great importance for art education, as it imparts pupils with a profound cultural legacy and serves as a wellspring of artistic inspiration.
