Timeline: Evolution of Symbols and Mythology in South Asian Art by Karel Danofrata

Seal (c. 2500-2400 BCE)

kdanofrata — 2023-12-05 15:30:16 UTC

The seal discovered in now Pakistan, is an important imprint of the Indus Valley Civilization. As stated by the Indian Culture site by the Indian Government, scholars have noted that these seals may have been used in trade to brand bundles of goods. These symbols were also used to indicate ownership. As explained by the Indian Culture website, the figure in the middle is represents Shiva, also known as Pashupati, the Hindu God. Shiva is known as the "lord of the beasts" and is depicted with mastery of the animals surrounding the seal. Furthermore, the same source states that the antelope at the bottom signifies Buddhist iconography. The imagery in the seal shows the daily practices of the ancestors of the Indus Valley Civilization.

The Great Stupa at Sanchi (c. 322-185 BCE)

kdanofrata — 2023-12-05 15:37:53 UTC

According to Britannica, a stupa is essentially a burial spot for great teachers. The mound shape of the structure symbolizes the buried teacher in a position of meditating. As explained by the video module by Professor Moorchild, the mound also symbolizes the world mountain and the triple umbrella symbolizes the shading of Buddha. This position of meditating was similar to the Buddha's. UNESCO stated that the beginning of Sanchi as a sacred cultural center occurred during the Mauryan Empire. King Ashoka constructed 84,000 stupas in the Indian subcontinent, symbolizing the spread of Buddhism across India. A follower of Buddhism also believes that building a stupas may allow them to garner good karma and prevent themselves from suffering in poverty. This large structure at Sanchi signifies the magnitude of Buddhism's influence in the Indian region. UNESCO further stated that the subsequent dynasties also contributed to the development of Sanchi as a sacred center. The Great Stupa was Buddha represented by the use of Indian artistic techniques involving iconography.

Lion Capital, Ashokan Pillar at Sarnath (c. 250 BCE)

kdanofrata — 2023-12-05 15:44:15 UTC

The Ashokan pillar marks the spread of Buddhism during King Ashoka's reign. According to the video by Professor Moorchild, the four lions facing in all four directions symbolizes the spread of dharma throughout all directions. It also symbolizes the rivers that flowed throughout the Earth. The lions also symbolize the Buddha and how the Buddha is the source of knowledge possessing the key to release from the endless cycle of birth, death, and rebirth. The University of California, Berkeley states that the wheel symbolizes the wheel of law or "dharmachakra." Furthermore, Professor Moorchild explained the representation of the mind as a lotus flower that open and blooms despite being in muddy waters.

The Caves of Ajanta (c. 200 B.C.E.-650 C.E)

kdanofrata — 2023-12-05 15:54:20 UTC

As stated by UNESCO World Heritage, the Ajanta has thirty caves which are dedicated to the Buddha's life. These caves contain various murals and sculptures which depict the life of Buddha. The darkness in the cave play a crucial role in the immersion of a viewer in reflecting the life of Buddha. The advanced techniques used in the cave serve as a means to narrate the life of Buddha. UNESCO states that the "Ajanta Caves exemplifies one of the greatest achievements in ancient Buddhist rock-cut architecture." This is evidently true as these caves represent the Buddhist philosophy and its development through the use of artwork.

The Giant Kumbhakarna Battles the Monkeys (c. 1200 CE)

kdanofrata — 2023-12-06 05:54:27 UTC

This sculpture was derived from a scene in one of the two greatest epics in Indian history, Ramayana. According to the Asian Art Museum, this sculpture illustrates the scene where the god Rama and his monkey allies fights Kumbhakarna, eventually leading to Rama's victory. This sculpture also symbolizes Rama upholding his "dharma" as a prince and a husband. Britannica explains "dharma" as the "religious and moral law governing individual conduct and is one of the four ends of life." This sculpture may have been created to add further emphasis on the scene as the Northern Indians perform re-enactments of the epic annually according to Britannica.