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Mystical Angkor Wat: Ancient Symbolism and Divine Intricacies

Explore the grandeur of Angkor Wat, Cambodia's Hindu and Buddhist marvel, adorned with divine motifs and celestial sculptures, depicting stories of gods and demons, meticulously crafted in stone reliefs. Learn about the architectural symbolism and spiritual significance of this ancient kingdom.

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Mystical Angkor Wat: Ancient Symbolism and Divine Intricacies

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  1. Cambodia Angkor Wat

  2. Cambodia • Angkor: old kingdom (7th-13th centuries) • Capital city: Phnom Penn • Religion: Hinduism (7th-12th centuries), Mahayana Buddhism (12th-14th centuries); Theravada Buddhism (15th-present) • Khmer ethnic • Mon-Khmer language

  3. Hinduism • Polytheistic religion (worship many gods and goddesses) • Goal is to achieve moksa--by praying, worshipping (darsana) and giving offering to gods • Each god has a female companion and rides on vehicle such as bull (Nandi), lion, goose; each holds some attributes (Siva: tridents and Vishnu: conch shell and wheel)

  4. Triad • Brahma-God of Creator • Vishnu-God of Preserver (has many incarnations such as Rama and Krishna) • Shiva-God of Destroyer (also the protector of animals) • Devi-goddess (e.g., Laksmi (“Good Fortune”) and Parvati); symbolizing beauty, benevolent, and wealth as well as power and wrath

  5. 3.29 Angkor Wat, early 12th century

  6. Angkor Wat • King Suryavarman II (c. 1112-1150 CE) • Hindu temple, facing West (direction of death), associates with Vishnu • It symbolizes the center of the universe, Mount Meru • The moat symbolizes the oceans surrounding the earth • The succession of concentric galleries represent the mountain ranges that surround Mount Meru • The towers (Gopura) represent the mountain’s peaks • It was converted to Theravada temple in the 15th century

  7. King Suryarvarman II, c. 1112-1150

  8. Plan • Square shape with cruciform cloister • Enter on the West side through the causeway • Made of sandstone; foundation was made of laterite • Upper level carries five towers and surrounding galleries • The summit is enclosed by continuous gallery (60m square); the center shrine tower is 42m high.

  9. Library

  10. Gallery and main towers

  11. Apsaras (celestrial beings)

  12. Apsaras

  13. Lotus motif

  14. Upper towers

  15. Main tower

  16. Vishnu

  17. Interior • sculpture: 8 arm Vishnu may have been located in the main sanctuary • Interior decorated with bas-relief • Themes: Ramayana and Mahabartha epics • Historic procession of King Suryavarman II and court • The West and East sides depicted the Heavens and Hells • Apsaras (celestial beings): approximately 2000

  18. Suryavarman II

  19. Vishnu and Garuda

  20. The Judgement of Yama, God of Dead and the Underworld

  21. Battle scene

  22. The Churning of the Sea of Milk • Story taken from the Bhagavata-Purana • Gods and demons (asuras) • Naga Vasuki used as a robe for the churning • Produce the amrita, the elixir of immortality

  23. Gods

  24. The Churning of the Sea of Milk, E gallery

  25. Demons

  26. Syam khuk

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