Harappan Civilizations & the Aryan Migration (ca. 2300-1750 B.C.E.)
Artist: unknown
Title: Yoni
Material: Stone
Site: Mahenjo-Daro, Pakistan
Current Location: National Museum of Pakistan (Karachi Museum), Pakistan
Period/Date: Indus/Harrapa Civilization/ ca. 2300-1750 B.C.E.
Iconography/Iconology: Linga (the phallus--not shown here) and yoni
(the vaginal opening). The linga and yoni are the Saivite religion's primary
symbol. The fact that these objects existed in the Harrapan times argues
strongly for a precedent of a Saivite-like religion having existed at that
time. There is obviously a clear continuity of the use of the symbol to
the present day. (Many lay practitioners of the Saivite religion tend to
understand this as an abstract symbol of prosperity and fecundity).
Stylistic Comments: It is interesting to note that the abstract simplicity
of this nearly 4,000 year old example continues to the present day in the
representation of the linga an yoni.
