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Potala Palace: Vajravarahi
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Potala Palace: Vajravarahi
CHINA, Tibet, Lhasa; 14th–17th century; Copper; H: 21 cm
Vajravarahi, the consort of Cakrasamvara, is distinguished by the sow's head growing from the right side of her skull. The figure has red hair and wears a skull crown and a long garland of heads that sways as she dances upon a corpse. Apart from a stole and several jeweled ornaments, she is completely nude. A skull cup is held in the left hand while a flaying knife is raised in the right. The figure is in the dancing posture, with the bent left leg placed on the corpse and the right supported by a flower growing from the lotus base. The image also has a third eye which symbolizes wisdom that cuts through the illusion of form and phenomena. |
