Discuss the iconography of female divinities in Southeast Asian art
In this essay, I will be discussing the iconography of Durga and Prajnaparamita in Southeast Asia. Prajnaparamita, the Buddhist deity of transcendental wisdom, is known as the Goddess of ‘Perfection of Wisdom’ where as Durga, the great Goddess of Hindu Tradition , is known as Mahisasuramardini who embodies strong forces . Durga often displays in a more aggressive form, expressing warrior-like characteristic, however Prajnaparamita is being portrayed in a composed manner, usually in a mediating posture. Figure 1, Durga Ranini in front of Kunti
Durga found during the East Javanese Period dates between the 10th to 15th centuries are usually portrayed in resplendent attire …show more content…
She wears a long sarong, secured at her hips, with an elaborate belt. Her headdress is foliated and multi-pointed. Her face downcast face shows bliss as she gain perfect wisdom and her features; unified eyebrows, aslope eyes and full lips. She has many jewels and holds a book, probably the book of transcendental wisdom. There is a lotus bud on her other hand that signifies purity .
In conclusion, the different religious values of Durga and Prajnaparamita are displayed in their contrasting iconography. Durga’s aggressive form as a warrior juxtaposes against Prajnaparamita’s meditative posture that evokes serenity and benevolence.
Bibliography
1. Maud Girard-Geslan, Marijke J. Klokke, Albert Le Bonheur, Donald M. Stadtner, Valerie Zaleski and Thierry Zéphir, Art Of Southeast Asia, 1994 (New York : Harry N. Abrams, 1998)
2. Fiona Kerlogue, Arts of Southeast Asia, 2004 (London : Thames & Hudson world of art, 2004)
3. John Guy, Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia, (The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2014)
4. Hariani Santiko, The Goddess Durga in the East-Javanese Period (Indonesia : Nanzan University, 1997), http://www.jstor.org/stable/1178725
5. Natasha Reichle, Violence and Serenity (University of Hawai'i Press, 2007),
In this essay, I will be discussing the iconography of Durga and Prajnaparamita in Southeast Asia. Prajnaparamita, the Buddhist deity of transcendental wisdom, is known as the Goddess of ‘Perfection of Wisdom’ where as Durga, the great Goddess of Hindu Tradition , is known as Mahisasuramardini who embodies strong forces . Durga often displays in a more aggressive form, expressing warrior-like characteristic, however Prajnaparamita is being portrayed in a composed manner, usually in a mediating posture. Figure 1, Durga Ranini in front of Kunti
Durga found during the East Javanese Period dates between the 10th to 15th centuries are usually portrayed in resplendent attire …show more content…
She wears a long sarong, secured at her hips, with an elaborate belt. Her headdress is foliated and multi-pointed. Her face downcast face shows bliss as she gain perfect wisdom and her features; unified eyebrows, aslope eyes and full lips. She has many jewels and holds a book, probably the book of transcendental wisdom. There is a lotus bud on her other hand that signifies purity .
In conclusion, the different religious values of Durga and Prajnaparamita are displayed in their contrasting iconography. Durga’s aggressive form as a warrior juxtaposes against Prajnaparamita’s meditative posture that evokes serenity and benevolence.
Bibliography
1. Maud Girard-Geslan, Marijke J. Klokke, Albert Le Bonheur, Donald M. Stadtner, Valerie Zaleski and Thierry Zéphir, Art Of Southeast Asia, 1994 (New York : Harry N. Abrams, 1998)
2. Fiona Kerlogue, Arts of Southeast Asia, 2004 (London : Thames & Hudson world of art, 2004)
3. John Guy, Lost Kingdoms: Hindu-Buddhist Sculpture of Early Southeast Asia, (The Metropolitan Museum of Art 2014)
4. Hariani Santiko, The Goddess Durga in the East-Javanese Period (Indonesia : Nanzan University, 1997), http://www.jstor.org/stable/1178725
5. Natasha Reichle, Violence and Serenity (University of Hawai'i Press, 2007),