The slide is for teaching UG and PG students, not for commercial and even not for for API.

1. SYMBOLS &
SYMBOLISM
IN INDIAN ART
FOR PG STUDENTS
Sachin Kr. Tiwary

2. Many the symbols have double or multiple meanings. For
example, the pentagram has been used to transmit occult power
in all kinds of rituals for centuries, but to Christians the same
shape may simply represent a star - a special part of God's
creation.
Symbolism is humankind s oldest form of visual communication,
Sign-Symbol-Symbolism (Compress representation & Narrative
representation),.. Om…..Swastik….786…..
Symbolic representation of Lord Buddha and his life incidents,
Symbolic representation of Teerthankaras,
Symbolic representation of Lord Shiva, Vishnu, Lakshmi etc.
Non-iconic to Iconic forms
Symbol one but various meaning :……………

3. Engraved Chert Core, Chandravati Natural Triangular Sandstone Found Placed on the
Upper Palaeolithic Rubble Platform, Baghor I

4. Present Day Shrine Worshipped as ‘Mai’

5. The royal tomb in Kivik, Scania Indian rock art, New Mexico,

6. ODISHA
KERALA

7. CHUNA DARI, MIRZAPUR
SIMILAR FROM CENTRAL INDIAN ROCK ART SITE

9. `
GARUN PURANA

10. The literature also mentioned about the stamping on the bull
body….
Whereas Vishnudharmottara Purana mentioned about the
marking on the bull body with the sandal paste…
Garun Purana

12. Regarding the symbols
engraved on the top of the
memorial stone it is difficult
to identify and relate its
importance with the
memorial stone practices.
It might have used as a
symbol of life after death, but
the symbols have some
relation with death
ceremony.

13. MEGALITHS POTTERIES WITH SYMBOL ; PLUS IN CIRCLE

18. Labyrinth from Jharnawa Rani Gadar, Jharkand
The labyrinth desing from
Anegudi/Chik Rampur in
Karnataka

19. LADDER AS A MEANS TO REACH THE SUN/HEAVEN

21. ROCK ART

22. Stairway to heaven (of Osiris) Ladder,Bath Abbey, England Lestnitsa Manuscript from Russia

23. BHARAHUT, SANCHI,
GANDHARA

25. THANK YOU ALL
ANY QUESTION ?
Tasks-
1. Difference between Sign and Symbol,
2. Discuss the Symbols in Bharahut, Sanchi, Bodhgaya, Amarawati
railings,
3. How symbols are the medium of communication, give an example
from Buddhist art ?
4. How animal as a symbol are the representation of Teerthankaras,
give an examples from Jaina art ?