traditional Chinese landscape painting, which had its roots in the murals of Han era, developed its classical style in the reign of the Tang dynasty. It was heavily influenced by Buddhist and Daoist traditions that minimized the importance of humanity and asserted the prevailing power of nature. For example, although a painting may depict the emperor's court activities, it is done in a setting in which all the participants, rulers as well as commoners, are considered. The surrounding landscape in such a work typically includes the rural communities surrounding the court, its urban centers, and representative landscapes of a region. Traditional Chinese scroll paintings show little concern for perspective, the creation of a realistic scale, or conveying a sense of hierarchy. All elements, human and natural, are treated with the same care by the artist; none is emphasized as being more important than another.