The raised-foot posture, originating from ancient Indian ascetic practices, was integrated into Buddhist art due to its association with Shakyamuni’s pre-enlightenment asceticism. In Gandharan art, raised-foot imagery primarily depicted flower garland bearers’ diligent offerings and ascetics’ earnest begging. Through he Silk Road, this imagery spread to the Westem Regions, directly influencing the creation of flower garland bearer figures in Shanshan Kingdom temple murals, and developing more diverse representations in Kucha Kingdom cave murals. Subsequently, raised-foot imagery entered the northern Central Plains through the Hexi Corridor, influencing some cave sculptures and inspiring the creation of native Chinese raised-foot styles. Although raised-foot imagery did not become widely popular in Chinese Buddhist art, its cultural connotations were absorbed, giving rise to multiple related Buddhist terms. The spread and evolution of raised-foot imagery demonstrate the exchange and interaction of diverse cultures along the Silk Road.