Qing Imperial Palace Cining Palace: Double Vajra

CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty

This Dharma instrument was originally kept in Cining Palace at the Qing Imperial Palace. A Vajra, which means “indestructible,” is an ancient Indian weapon known for its hardiness. In Tibetan Buddhism, the vajra represents the enlightened mind that eliminates defilement.
The center of this double vajra features a red gemstone surrounded by lotus petals, in which the four vajras are embedded. Each vajra has four inward-curving prongs, decorated with makaras, surrounding a straight central prong. The vajra sits on a lotus pedestal supported by a cloisonné in the form of a five-color floating cloud. The Chinese character for “longevity” is written on the base.