Examining Tang and Song Yingtang image halls from a clan sacrificial perspective

Abstract: During the Tang and Song Dynasties, the ordinary officials’ patriarchal clan gradually dominated the clan community. This phenomenon has destroyed the strict hierarchical sacrificial system. Therefore, as a new form of private sacrifice, the yingtang image hall appears in the ordinary officials’ residence or at ordinary people’s homes. At present, when a statue is replaced by an image, this new cultural symbol will lead every worshiper to reach social recognition psychologically and emotionally. Through the images or portraits hanging in the hall, the worshippers can confirm whether they can create a spiritual realm visually, so that they can communicate with their ancestors or tell their prayers.