Christianity first appeared in Chinese art during the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) with the arrival of Nestorian missionaries. The Nestorian Stele (781 CE) recorded this early presence, blending Christian and Chinese symbols. Art from this period incorporated Christian motifs into Buddhist and Daoist styles, such as crosses with lotus patterns. During the Yuan Dynasty (1271–1368), Franciscan missionaries introduced Catholic influences, leading to Christian paintings with Chinese artistic techniques