Iconography of Different Religions

Dr. Neeru Bharti Sharma

Department of Fine Arts

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• The study of icons is one of the most fruitful means to trace that history is so far as it is related to religion. The study of countless images imaginative or symbolic representation of the great dieties produced in different periods and their meaning with changes in their forms and techniques constitutes a fundamental and important branch of research in the history of Indian art the practice of images became popular with vedic and non-vedic elements as it is evident from the post vedic literary and archaeological evidence. The Mauryans have been known to worship and perish their palaces and temples with the icons of various popular dieties. The word Devatha means image or Pratimah.

Iconometric Concept

• In the history of art there is a vast collection of images of different forms of dieties in different periods ,it is difficult to reflect on them without establishing certain norms. Iconography means understanding iconography. Three levels of undergoing iconography-: Pre- iconography level- denotes simple description of primary and natural subject matter. Simple type of symbolic forms and motifs have been studied. Iconographic level -Deep study of images. Great study of themes associated with the images. It was studied of themes literacy and textural sources. Iconological level- lconological has very interinic meaning and symbolic value of a work. A result or moral of any image to be studied.

• Iconography, as a branch of art history, studies the identification, description and interpretation of the content of images: the subjects depicted, the particular compositions and details used to do so, and other elements that are distinct from artistic style. The word iconography comes from the Greek εἰκών ("image") and γράφειν ("to write" or to draw).

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• A secondary meaning (based on a non-standard translation of the Greek and Russian equivalent terms) is the production or study of the religious images, called "icons", in the Byzantine and Orthodox Christian tradition (see Icon). This usage, which many consider simply incorrect, is mostly found in works translated from languages such as Greek or Russian, with the correct term being "icon painting".

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• In art history, "an iconography" may also mean a particular depiction of a subject in terms of the content of the image, such as the number of figures used, their placing and gestures. The term is also used in many academic fields other than art history, for example semiotics and media studies, and in general usage, for the content of images, the typical depiction in images of a subject, and related senses. Sometimes distinctions have been made between iconology and iconography,although the definitions, and so the distinction made, varies. When referring to movies, genres are immediately recognizable through their iconography, motifs that become associated with a specific genre through repetition.

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Indian Religious Iconography

• Central to the iconography and hagiography of Indian religions are mudra or gestures with specific meanings. Other features include the aureola and halo, also found in Christian and Islamic art, and divine qualities and attributes represented by asana and ritual tools such as the dharmachakra, vajra, chhatra, sauwastika, phurba and danda. The symbolic use of colour to denote the Classical Elements or Mahabhuta and letters and bija syllables from sacred alphabetic scripts are other features.

• Under the influence of tantra art developed esoteric meanings, accessible only to initiates; this is an especially strong feature of Tibetan art. The art of Indian Religions esp. Hindus in its numerous sectoral divisions is governed by sacred texts called the Aagama which describes the ratio and proportion of the icon, called taalmaana as well as mood of the central figure in a context. For example, Narasimha an incarnation of Vishnu though considered a wrathful deity but in few contexts is depicted in pacified mood.

• Although iconic depictions of, or concentrating on, a single figure are the dominant type of Buddhist image, large stone relief or fresco narrative cycles of the Life of the Buddha, or tales of his previous lives, are found at major sites like Sarnath, Ajanta, and Borobudor, especially in earlier periods. Conversely, in Hindu art, narrative scenes have become rather more common in recent centuries, especially in miniature paintings of the lives of Krishna and Rama.

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Hindu Iconography

• Over the millennia of its development, Hinduism has adopted several iconic symbols, forming part of Hindu iconography, that are imbued with spiritual meaning based on either the scriptures or cultural traditions. The exact significance accorded to any of the icons varies with region, period and denomination of the followers. Over time some of the symbols, for instance the Swastika has come to have wider association while others like Aum are recognized as unique representations of Hinduism. Other aspects of Hindu iconography are covered by the terms murti, for icons and mudra for gestures and positions of the hands and body.

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Hinduism

• The principle dieties worshipped by Hindus-: Vishnu, Shiva,Suriya ,Devi, Ganesha, Brahma also the images of various Dicpalas,Guerdian dieties, Bhutta,Pishachas etc.
• Vishnu Iconography- Important members of traditional Brahmanical triad, the other two being Brahma and Shiva. Brahma is the creator, Vishnu is the maintainer and the Shiva is the destroyer. The concept of Vishnus present iconography grew with the fusion of these god concepts-Vishnu of vedic sanhitas.
• Narayan of the Brahmans. Vasudeva- Krishna as in the Puranas and epics. The word Vishnu comes from the root word vish meaning Pravesh or entry. Attributes of Vishnu are- Shankha ( sound or dhwani ) Chekra ( body or soul movement) Guda ( power or authority) Padma (purity).

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Iconography of Brahma & Shiva

Iconography of Brahma

Represented with four hands. Each hand depicts four Vedas. Always shows as an old man with a white beard or hair. Also associated with purity and knowledge. Also called Pitamah. The great father. He is a God who is shown with human aging tendencies. Has four arms signifies - Satya Yuga, Treta Yuga, Dwapar Yuga, Kalyuga. Four hands; one hand is always with a kamandala depicting knowledge. Second hand he holds a rosary. Third hand is shown holding a scripture. Fourth and is in Varna Mudra. Vahana of Brahma is a white swan symbolizing purity and knowledge.

• Iconography of Shiva

He is often considered to be the destroyer. Also a protector. Bring death only upon the wrong deeds. Shiva has five faces and known as Panchanan.

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Christian Iconography

• Christian art features Christian iconography, prominently developed in the medieval era and renaissance, and is a prominent aspect of Christian media. Aniconism was rejected within Christian theology from the outset, and the development of early Christian art and architecture occurred within the first two centuries after Jesus.

• . Small images in the Catacombs of Rome show orans figures, portraits of Christ and some saints, and a limited number of "abbreviated representations" of biblical episodes emphasizing deliverance. From the Constantinian period monumental art borrowed motifs from Roman Imperial imagery, classical Greek and Roman religion and popular art – the motif of Christ in Majesty owes something to both Imperial portraits and depictions of Zeus

• . In the Late Antique period iconography began to be standardized, and to relate more closely to Biblical texts, although many gaps in the canonical Gospel narratives were plugged with matter from the apocryphal gospels. Eventually, the Church would succeed in weeding most of these out, but some remain, like the ox and ass in the Nativity of Christ.

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Iconography of Buddhism

• Buddhist symbolism is the use of symbols (Sanskrit: pratīka) to represent certain aspects of the Buddha's Dharma (teaching). Early Buddhist symbols which remain important today include the Dharma wheel, the Indian lotus, the three jewels and the Bodhi tree.

• Early Buddhist art (circa 2nd century BCE to 2nd century CE) is commonly (but not exclusively) aniconic (i.e. lacking an anthropomorphic image), and instead used various symbols to depict the Buddha. The best examples of this aniconic period symbolism can be found at sites like Sanchi, Amaravati, Bharhut, Bodhgaya and Sarnath.

• like Sanchi, Amaravati, Bharhut, Bodhgaya and Sarnath.According to Karlsson, three specific signs, the Bodhi tree, the Dharma wheel, and the stupa, occur frequently at all these major sites and thus "the earliest Buddhist cult practice focused on these three objects.”

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 Several animals are also widely depicted, such as elephants, lions, nāga and deer. Contemporary Buddhist art contains numerous symbols, including unique symbols not found in early Buddhism.

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• The best examples of this aniconic period symbolism can be found at sites like Sanchi, Amaravati, Bharhut, Bodhgaya and Sarnath.According to Karlsson, three specific signs, the Bodhi tree, the Dharma wheel, and the stupa, occur frequently at all these major sites and thus "the earliest Buddhist cult practice focused on these three objects.”

Buddhism

• India is a land of many religions. Hinduism was one of the most earliest religious system in India but after sometime certain evils entered in the society like caste system ,headedness of Brahman community. Complexity in the norms of Hindu religion. Buddha and his life -The name of Buddha‘s father was Suddhodana, his mother is Maya. said by astrologer about Buddha that either he will become a king or he will become a saint. Four visions that bring transformations: saw an ill person ,a dead body an old man, a saint.

• Buddha has three roops-: Gautam -when he was king and having his wife and children. Bodhisatva- Renounced the body of Gautam and when he left his wife and children, he became Bodhisattva. Buddha-when he attain truth in his life and become a sacred man, he became Buddha. Buddha‘s teachings and main principles-: These are the four noble truths-: This life is full of miseries .

• The desire is the cause of these miseries. One can get rid off the desires. Desire can be eliminated by the following eight fold path - Right understanding, Right to thought, Right words/speech ,Right action, Right means of livelihood ,Right efforts, Right reaction ,Right meditation .

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• Three jewels of Buddhism-number- The Buddha , The Sangha The law. Buddham Sharanam Gachami, Sangham Sharnam Gachami, Dharmam Sharnam Gachami. Maha Parini rvana-to get rid of from the cycle of birth and death. Different sects of Buddhism - hin yan , Mahayana, vajra Yana Hinyan-Buddha was against the idol worship. Symbols shown for worship. Like Stupa, footprint, empty thrown, riderless horse, umbrella, Bodhi tree, elephant etc. Mahayana -

• There was a clear influence of Greek culture like Greek Gods, he was being worshipped in human form. Vajaryana- Also tantrik Buddhism. Based on rituals,. The goal of what is Vajrayan is to become Bodhi Satva and to attain it you have to reach to the Buddhist monasteries. Eight symbols of Buddhist iconography- White Counch - symbol of dharma. Precious umbrella-symbol of protection.

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• . Victory banner-victory of self over activities. Golden Fish-state of fearfulness in the ocean of sufferings/mysteries. Dharam Wheel - symbolises turning of special wheel of Buddhist law. Also symbolises liberation from Circle of life and death. Auspicious drawing-wisdom and its application. Lotus flower-purification of body, speech and mind. Vase of treasure - symbolises wealth, prosperity and liberation

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Iconography of Jainism

• Tirthanakar images do not have distinctive facial features, clothing or (mostly) hair-styles, and are differentiated on the basis of the symbol or emblem (Lanchhana) belonging to each tirthanakar except Parshvanatha. Statues of Parshvanath have a snake crown on the head. The first Tirthankara Rishabha can be identified by the locks of hair falling on his shoulders.

• Sometimes Suparshvanath is shown with a small snake-hood. The symbols are marked in the centre or in the corner of the pedestal of the statue. The sects of Jainism Digambara and Svetambara have different depictions of idols. Digambara images are naked without any ornamentation, whereas Svetambara ones may be clothed and in worship may be decorated with temporary ornaments. The images are often marked with Srivatsa on the chest and Tilaka on the forehead. Srivatsa is one of the ashtamangala (auspicious symbols). It can look somewhat like a fleur-de-lis, an endless knot, a flower or diamond-shaped symbol.

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Jainism

• According to Jaina literature, these have been 24 tirthankaras or spiritual gurus of Jainas. The first of them was Rabindranath and last one was Mahavira who was a senior contemporary Buddha. Mahavira Jain-: Mahavir was born at Kerala grama in Vaishali present in north Bihar. Born around 599BC. father was Siddhartha and mother Trishala. Married to Yashodhara and a daughter. Less interest in worldly pleasures and left his home at the early age of 30 and began his quest of knowledge.

• After 12 years, he attained divine enlightenment and known as Jina meaning conquer of the self and his followers were known as Jains. The Jains worshipped the image of the Jinas or the Tirthankeras from ancient times. Images of the Tirthankeres have been excavated from Mathura and other antique sites. Jain narratives are noticed on the walls of various temples and the best expression of Jaina narratives art is in miniature painting in the manuscripts.

• The message of Mahavira was an oral tradition which was known through transmission done by his Disciple Bhadra Bahu. He wrote down the knowledge of Mahavira in a look with 12 sections and 24 angas . These angles were followed by the Svetamberas , the white fabric clenned followers of Mahavira. The Digambaras, the nude followers of Mahavira followed the original canons of Bhadra Bahu, which were not panned down. Jainism has no place for God or a divine personality having a concept. Which gives importance to all living beings of the universe.

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