Subject: Flowers
Symbols Page (Buddhist)Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
--- Art History
--- Iconography
--- Religious Context
- Visual Study Topics
- Eight Auspicious Symbols
- Lotus Mandala
- Eight Offerings
- Eight Offering Goddesses
- Confusions
- Others...
Videos:
- Flowers: Part 1
- Flowers: Part 2
In art history the shape of the lotus flower of a painting or sculpture can help to establish three important things, the artistic style, a possible regional location, and an estimate of the date range or general chronology of a work. For example, consider the smooth unadorned petals of the lotus flowers of Swat Valley, Pala Indian and Kashmir Sculpture either single or double lotus seats. Also observe the Palpung style of painting with a variety of lotus types, but generally simple with one colour or possibly two, but not complex or overly ornate in the drawing design.
In iconography deities and sometimes historical teachers sit on a cushion of a flower blossom, often a lotus. Many deities hold the stem of a lotus flower which can also support an additional attribute such as a wheel, water flask, sword or book.
Jeff Watt 7-2022
(The images below are only a selection of examples).
