Kumtura Cave 23: Astrological Signs
Kumtura Cave 23: Astrological Signs
CHINA, Xinjiang, Aksu
These images are on the central ridge of the barrel-vaulted ceiling in the main chamber. Included are images of Surya, two white geese, and a garuda. An image of Candra once included among these was removed by a German expedition and is currently preserved in the Museum of Asian Art in Berlin. In Buddhist cosmology, the universe consists of myriad world systems and each has a Sun Deity and a Moon Deity, represented by Surya and Candra, respectively. In the painting, Surya is clad in green and covered with armor. He sits cross-legged on a carriage with a wheel on each side as white radial rays shine behind him. The white geese with wings spread fly upwards, and the garuda fiercely grasps a naga in its beak.
For more details, go to the Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves R-L, page 618.
Cite this article:
author = Hsingyun and Youheng and Johnson, Peter and Mankuang and Huntington, Susan and Edson, Gary and Neather, Robert,
booktitle = {Encyclopedia of Buddhist Arts: Caves R-L},
pages = 618,
title = {{Kumtura Cave 23: Astrological Signs}},
volume = 6,
year = {2016}}