Embroidery of Acala

CHINA; Western Xia period

This silk embroidery, created in the early 13th century, is a rare work from the Western Xia period.
In Vajrayana Buddhism, Acala plays a protective role, destroying obstacles that stand in the way of spiritual enlightenment. Here, Acala is portrayed in a deep blue hue and wears a crown with a Buddha image atop his bushy hair. He has wild staring eyes and a wrathful appearance. His upper body is bare and he holds a sword in his right hand and a lasso in his left. There are nagas encircling Acala’s body as he stands on the prostrate bodies of Shiva and Ganesa. Surrounding all three figures is a golden mandorla of flames, through which ten members of Acala’s entourage charge, brandishing weapons. The whole scene occurs atop a lotus pedestal, beneath which there are five dakinis, smiling and dancing, flanked by smaller images of Acala. Across the top are images of the Five Dhyani Buddhas, and the border features the eight auspicious symbols and a scrolling floral vine with lotuses.