Mogao Cave 17: Hayagriva

CHINA, Gansu, Dunhuang; Five Dynasties to Northern Song dynasty

The three-headed, eight-armed Hayagriva is engulfed by red flames. On the central face, there is a third eye in the middle of the forehead, and the protruding teeth bites the lower lip. A high topknot is partially covered by a headdress decorated with a Buddha image. Thick ornaments adorn the body. The eight hands hold Dharma instruments or form mudras. Snakes are coiled around the legs, and the feet rest on lotus pedestals. A white horse is painted above the nimbus. The heads of a beast and garudas are visible in the flames. At the bottom of the painting, there is a small hand and what appear to be a nose and teeth. The painting resembles a depiction of Ucchusma, also from Cave 17, that is kept in the British Museum.