Artist: unknown
Title: The Great Stupa/Mount Meru at Borobudur, stairs leading from
top terrace to the circular platforms
Material: local volcanic rock
Site: Borobudur, Central Java, Indonesia
Current Location: in situ
Period/Date: ca. end of the 8th - beginning of the 9th century,
under the Shailendra Dynasty
Iconography/Iconology: Originally all of the gates resembled this
gateway. At the base on either side is a makara, a mythological, quasi-crocodilian,
aquatic creature. A makara is a sybol that represents the emergence of all
life from the primordial waters. As a result, it represents prosperity,
abundance, and well-being. At the top is a kirthimukha, or "renowned
face." This is essentailly a cloud creature from whom the waters emerge.
The bands flowing from the gaping mouth of the kirthmukha down to the tail
of the makaras are the waters cascading from the heavens to the earthly
realms. To enter this gate is specifically to transcend from the mundane,
into the heavenly realms.
Stylistic Comments:
