Questions tagged [iconography]
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Is the Unalome a Buddhist symbol?
Last year I was walking in the "Camino de Santiago", in Spain, where I met a guy who showed me a symbol engraved in the stone of a bridge.
It was a Sun that reflected its rays on the sea. He told me ...
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When and why did the color orange (and yellow and 'red') become associated with Buddhism?
Buddhist religious figures often wear orange robes.
And I think that orange is, also, associated with Buddhist religious buildings -- and other religious "stuff" (although this may be simply a ...
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What is this tile and what do its symbols depict?
I found a clay tile outside on the street that appears to depict the Buddha. It has a man in lotus position on one side and four scenes along with some text on the reverse. It is roughly as broad as ...
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Statues I can't find anything about
I picked up these two statues today. I have been searching for an hour or two, to identify them or learn anything at all I can about them. I've searched through thousands of images, been comparing ...
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Why does Guan Yin ride a dragon?
Someone had once asked here "Why is Kwan Yin riding a sea turtle?", but what I'm more curious about is why is she seen on a dragon? There are many images or the Bodhisattva riding a dragon, one I ...
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Why this hair style on statues of the Buddha?
http://9gag.com/gag/arOnzn5 says that the Buddha's "hair" on this statue represents snails.
I thought Buddha shave his head like all his disciples. And there is a claim that his hair are actually ...
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What is the significance of Reclining Buddha Statue in Laos compared to other countries in Asia?
Hello regarding the reclining Buddha statue here in this link http://www.buddhastatuesnow.com --
What are the differences between this and other reclining statues in Asia? I have seen several and ...
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Buddha statue of European/white likeness?
Do Buddha statues exist that portray Buddha as a person of white or European likeness? Where would I find them?
(Not sure what other than "white" or "European" to call it; you are free to correct me.)...
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Do you think that this Laughing Buddha Restaurant sign is a disrespect?
Greetings to everybody,
According to the image above, what do you think from your point of view?
Is this disrespectful since The Laughing Buddha is being used for a branding?
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Symbols of mercy in Buddhism?
What are the possible symbols of mercy and/or compassion in Buddhism? As always answers with supporting references are appreciated.
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Can I wear pendant that's symbol of peace?
A year ago I bought one and I just got it is NDC (Nuclear Disarmament Campaign). I don't mind but I wanted feeling peace through everything what I need to having it. And soon I'm gonna practicing ...
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Iconography in Buddhism - from the Greeks? And why isn't the Buddha bald?
When you read or hear about Gotama leaving his home and family, the story is usually something like "he shaved his face and head and went out to be a wandering monk". But very few depictions of the ...
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Lord Buddha descending from heavens?
This question is about these images:
This incident (depicted) happened after Lord Buddha visited a certain Deva realm.
Can someone provide any sutta or sutra reference?
If you can, please ...
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Why is there Hindu gods in this decorated wall in the Vihara of Bhaja
I am a student of art and I am studying on Buddhist art .In the Vihara of Bhaja there is a decorated wall with two important gods of Hindusim, namely Surya and Indra. It refers to the Shunga period.
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Halo on the Buddha
Do the suttas make any mention of a halo around the Buddha's head, or was it a later addition through the cultural influence of other religions? I recall mentions of a golden aura around the Buddha ...
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Seeking explanation of this image's iconography
I came across the following image on China's Taobao online shopping site and was hoping someone could explain the content. (the seller could not) The central figure is Shakyamuni Buddha, that much is ...
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Why is an emaciated Buddha rarely represented in art?
Surely The Buddha appeared quite emaciated when he realized full enlightenment. Why is an emaciated Buddha rarely represented in art?
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What significance does the dragon hold within Buddhism?
What significance does the mythical dragon hold within Buddhism and why, where does it originate within Buddhism?
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What is the meaning of the lotus?
On the altar when entering a Buddhist temple I see the Buddha sitting on a lotus, but frankly I do not understand the symbolic meaning of the lotus image? Everywhere you look in the temple you see ...
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Examples of early Buddhist art
I was reading that early Buddhist art doesn't actually depict the Buddha. Instead it shows an empty space, a dharma wheel or a footprint where you would expect the Buddha to be shown. It was only ...
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What is the symbol sometimes depicted on images of the Buddha which looks like a swastika?
I often look up images of the Buddha online to use as desktop backgrounds for pc or phone. I've seen quite a few images that show a symbol that looks like a swastika on the Buddha's chest. What is the ...
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Who are the Buddhas on the Wheel of Life?
In a lot of images of the wheel of life there are Buddha figures in each of the realms. You can see them in the image below of the full wheel of life and I've also put in a close up of the hell realm ...
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What is a Mudra and what do they mean?
In Buddhist iconography the figures are illustrated or depicted with various hand gestures. The symbolic hand gestures are called mudras. What is the significance of a Buddhist mudra? What are the ...
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Did the Buddha have long ears?
Every statue of the Buddha I have seen depicts him as having long ears.
Did Buddha really have long ears? If so, why and how did he get long ears?
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Why is Kwan Yin riding a sea turtle?
And maybe to save two related questions, why does Samantabhadra ride an elephant and Majursri ride a lion?
I was meditating with Kwan Yin statute and that was the main distraction, I had no idea why ...
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Why should we worship statues of Lord Buddha?
Why should we worship Lord Buddha statues with flowers, lights and food, even when we know Lord Buddha is not alive and does not exist? Did Lord Buddha instruct us to do so or is there any other ...
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