Ancient Indian Art
Art in India has been inspired by spiritualism and mystical relationship between man and god. Indian art relied heavily on religious scriptures to draw inspiration. Since there was no restriction, they flourished under the patronage of rulers. Their art has survived the ravages of time and have a unique place in historical records. The purpose of art in ancient India was not just to adorn the walls. Each painting had a story to narrate. Visually ancient Indian art was colorful, aesthetic and appealing to the eye. Good art symbolized the prosperity of many empires in ancient India. Most of the art was produced to promote religious activities. Art was an extension of their tribute and respect to the knowledgeable class. It is no surprise that most of the artwork of Hindu kings depicts scenes from epics like Ramayana and Mahabharata and other mythological stories which continue to inspire artists even now. Some of the most important pieces of art in India are the Sanchi Stupa, the Sarnath Lion, the Chola Sculptures, and the Goddess paintings of Kali, Saraswati, and Lakshmi.
The ‘Great Stupa’ or Sanchi Stupa, is the oldest stone structure in India. It was originally commissioned by the emperor Ashoka the Great in the 3rd century BCE. Its nucleus was a simple hemispherical brick structure built over the relics of the Buddha. It was crowned by the chatra, a parasol-like structure symbolizing high rank, which was intended to honor and shelter the relics. The Stupa is not a building in any traditional sense. Once a burial or reliquary mound, the Stupa has become a purely symbolic object. It became a symbol of Buddha’s final release from the cycle of birth and rebirth. The Stupa is also a cosmic symbol. Its hemispherical shape represents the world egg. Stupas commonly rest on a square pedestal and are carefully aligned with the four cardinal points of the compass. The exquisite carvings on these Stupas depict a world where humans and animals live in perfect harmony with each other. The Sanchi Stupa has a walkway built halfway up the mound. The faithful would use this to circle the stupa to pay homage to Buddha. Motion was always clockwise, since this kept one’s right side, which the right side was considered better, toward the relics at the center.
The Term Paper on Greek Art in Ancient Greece and Faraway Lands
The classical period of Greece (490 – 323 B. C. ) saw the artists perfecting their style. Following Alexander’s conquests, ancient Greece entered the Hellenistic period (323 – 31 B. C. ) (“Timeline of Ancient Greece”). Of course, Alexander the Great was not the only god of the ancient Greek civilization. Ancient Greeks worshipped plenty of gods that were believed to have appeared to them in human ...
The perimeter wall has a gateway and the carvings on these walls illustrate events from Buddha’s life and past lives. Buddha has been illustrated symbolically, in the form of inanimate figures. The figures include wheels (representing his teaching), his footprints, empty throne etc. However, the figure that is most extensively used consists of a lotus flower. In Buddhism, lotus has a special meaning attached to it. It is both a beautiful decoration as well as a religious symbol. Buddhists believe that, like lotus grows from mud to produce a beautiful white blossom, people can also emerge from the mud of materialism into sunlight. The Stupa symbolizes that Earth supports Heaven and Heaven covers Earth. The axis of the world is always represented in the Stupa, rising above its summit. The “parasols,” set one above the other along the shaft, represent a heavenly hierarchy.
The National Emblem of India is the Lion of Sarnath. The Lion Capital was erected in the third century BC by Emperor Ashoka to mark the spot where Buddha first proclaimed his gospel of peace and emancipation to the four quarters of the universe. The four lions (one hidden from view) symbolize power, courage and confidence. They rest on a circular abacus. The abacus is girded by four smaller animals which are guardians of the four directions: the lion of the north, the elephant of the east, the horse of the south and the bull of the west. The Sarnath Lion is symbolized by Buddha’s life. The four animals in the Sarnath capital are believed to symbolize different phases in Buddha’s life. The Elephant is a representation of Queen Maya’s conception of Buddha when she saw a white elephant entering her womb in dream. The Bull represents desire during the life of the Buddha as a prince. The Horse symbolizes Buddha’s departure from palatial life while the Lion represents the attainment of Nirvana by Buddha.
The Term Paper on Noble Truth Buddha One Life
I AM AWAKE In a world filled with technology and industry, it can become increasingly difficult to take a step back and view the world in its natural state. In essence, we are humans trying to figure out how we fit into a world seemingly contradictory to the path of humanity. We look to nature for answers. We look to each other, as well as to one another's accomplishments for these same answers. ...
The forms of Chola bronzes are very expressive. There is grace, elegance, beauty, and life. By means of the facial expressions and gestures or mudras and the pose, we can imagine the surroundings of the figure of the god or goddess; what instrument or weapon he or she is holding; what he or she is leaning on; and what he or she is doing or about to do. The most famous of all the bronze icons is that of Nataraja. The symbolism presents Siva as lord of the cosmic dance of creation and destruction. Surrounding Siva, a circle of flames represents the universe, whose fire is held in Shiva’s left rear palm. His left front arm crosses his chest, the hand pointing in “elephant trunk” position to his upraised left foot, which signifies liberation. His right foot tramples the dwarf Apasmara, who represents ignorance. Snakes that stand for egotism are seen uncoiling from his arms, legs, and hair, which is braided and bejeweled. His matted locks are whirling as he dances within an arch of flames representing the endless cycle of birth and death. On his head is a skull, which symbolizes his conquest over death. This cosmic dance of Shiva is called ‘Anandatandava,’ meaning the Dance of Bliss, and symbolizes the cosmic cycles of creation and destruction, as well as the daily rhythm of birth and death. Thedance of Shiva also represents his five activities: ‘Shrishti’ (creation, evolution); ‘Sthiti’ (preservation, support); ‘Samhara’ (destruction, evolution); ‘Tirobhava’ (illusion); and ‘Anugraha’ (release, emancipation, grace).
Kali is the Hindu mother goddess, symbol of dissolution and destruction. She destroys ignorance, maintains the world order, and blesses and frees those who strive for the knowledge of god. Her appearance in paintings is fearsome. She has baleful eyes, a protruding tongue, and four arms. In her upper left hand she wields a bloody sword and in her lower left hand she holds the severed head of a demon. With her upper right hand she makes the gesture of fearlessness. Draped around her is a chain of severed human heads and she wears a belt made of dismembered arms. She is often represented dancing. Lakshmi is the goddess of light, beauty, good fortune, and wealth. The word “Lakshimm is derived from the Sanskrit word Laksme, meaning “goal”. Lakshimi therefore, represents the goal of life. Lakshmi also signifies love and grace. In her images and pictures, Lakshimi is depicted in a female form with four arms and four hands. She wears red clothes with a golden lining and is standing on a lotus. She has golden coins and lotuses in her hands. “The four arms represent the four directions in space and symbolizes omnipresence and omnipotence of the Goddess. The red color symbolizes activity.
The Essay on Symbolic Expre Hand Left Human
That the right hand is favoured for practical use by most members of the human race seems, from the evidence, to be un disputable. That much pan-cultural knowledge seems to legitimize this with specific forms and methods of suggesting superiority to the right hand also seems to be the case. It is this symbolic expression of the dexterity differential which holds the fascination of the discipline ...
The idea conveyed here is that the Goddess is always busy distributing wealth and prosperity to the devotees. The lotus seat, which Lakshimi is standing upon, signifies that while living in this world, one should enjoy its , but not become obsessed with it. She is regularly worshipped in home shrines and temples. A special worship is offered to her annually on the auspicious day of, with religious rituals and colorful ceremonies especially devoted to her. Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, and all the creative arts. The Sanskrit word sara means “essence” and saw means “self”. Sarswati means “the essence of the self”. Saraswati is called the mother of the Veda’s. She is shown dressed in white holding a mala and a palm leaf scroll, indicating knowledge. Students worship Saraswati to perform well on exams.
The origin of fine arts in India goes a long way back. India being a rich culture, the fine arts dates back to the beginning of civilization itself. Every period has its unique blend of wonderful exhibition of Indian art. With changing times and changing periods, the form of art has also changed and every time it has managed to surpass the glorious works of previous age. Indian art has kept evolving over thousands of years. Ancient India is credited to develop fascinating art forms, and a perfect example of some of the most famous art in India is the Sanchi Stupa, the Sarnath Lion, the Chola Sculptures, and the Goddess paintings of Kali, Saraswati, and Lakshmi.
The Term Paper on Two Periods Of Buddhist Art In India
Two Periods of Buddhist Art in India Less than 1% of the population of modern India is Buddhist. Therefore, it is reasonable to say that Indias importance for Buddhism and its art is mainly its historical influence. Not only is India the country where the historical Buddha, Sakyamuni, lived and taught, but it is the land where the first images of the Buddha were produced and where Buddhist ...
