Significance of Kirtimukha Symbol in South Asia, South-East Asia
Journal Title: Artistic Narration: A Peer Reviewed Journal of Visual & Performing Art - Year 2018, Vol 0, Issue 2
Abstract
Kirtimukha literally means “face of glory”. It is thepredominant motif in both South and Southeast Asian art and architecture in all religions.Kirtimukha serves mainly as significant guardian of the threshold. Presently this face symbol is used extensively in various Hindu, Buddhist and Jaintemples.The earliest visual depiction of this symbol is found in Jain art from around the third century A.D.Sometimes in Sanskrit the kirti is compared with conveying universal fame. The religious monuments or works of art donated by the devotees are also called kirti. Hence, this is reason, that the kirtimukha represented part of the earthly depiction of the heavenly entrance of temples. Thus this entrance is called a mukha. In Tibetan art kirtimukha appears as a demon with horned face which does not have a lower jaw and the hands hold the crest-bar in his mouth.In South and South Asian art, the sky or atmosphere is often represented by the head or face of a creature.Kirtimukha originated in India, there is plenty of evidence of the motif both in North and South India and then spread to Sri-Lanka and South-east Asia.
Authors and Affiliations
Alka Jain
Keywords
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