GENERAL DESCRIPTION
The Khmer kings of the 9th to 13th centuries constructed extensive temple complexes dedicated to the Buddha or to the Hindu gods, most often to Shiva. Shiva's role as the destroyer naturally incorporates the converse role of procreator, and it is thus, in the form of the linga (phallic symbol), that he is most often worshipped. In the central chamber of a temple the devotee venerates the god by praying, placing flowers and other offerings, and anointing the linga with water. As a symbol of fertility and a manifestation of Shiva, the linga often takes the simple form seen here.
The symbol of the linga derives from the story of the lingodbhava, when Shiva revealed himself before Brahma and Vishnu as a pillar of fire to exhibit his preeminence over those two other important deities. Neither Vishnu, in the form of Varaha diving into the sea to estimate the pillar's depth, nor Brahma, a hamsa (goose) flying into the air, could find the beginning or end of the pillar, thus establishing Shiva as the ultimate deity. The form of most lingas follows that of this example, with a square base representing Brahma, the octagonal midsection Vishnu, and the circular columnar upper portion Shiva, who presides over the other two divinities. The linga is generally set into a base known as the yoni, which represents the female genitals. When the linga is inserted into the yoni, the two lower square and octagonal portions are not visible, further symbolizing Shiva's dominance over the other two gods.
Adapted from
- Nancy Tingley, "Linga," in The Arts of India, South East Asia, and the Himalayas, Anne R. Bromberg (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 211.
NOTES
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Khmer: AAT: 300386546
Geography
Cambodia (nation): TGN: 1000109
Process/materials
sandstone: AAT: 300011376
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
abstract (general art genre): AAT: 300417511
Brahma (Hindu deity): DMA
creator gods: AAT: 300412038
devotional objects: AAT: 300234144
fertility: AAT: 300379149
fire (physical concept): AAT: 300417275
geometric shape: AAT: 300263819
Hinduism: AAT: 300073727
Khmer: AAT: 300386546
lingams: AAT: 300265261
phallic: AAT: 300263529
pillar: AAT: 300264605
power: AAT: 300374809
sculpture: AAT: 300047090
Shiva (Hindu deity): DMA
symbolism: AAT: 300055865
Temples: AAT: 300007595
Vishnu (Hindu deity): DMA
wisdom: AAT: 300380150
yonis: AAT: 300265262
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From 2010: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of David T. Owsley
The main source of this provenance is the deed of gift, dated April 26, 2010. Copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file.
AUDIO ASSETS
VIDEO ASSETS
IMAGE ASSETS
WEB RESOURCES
- National Museum of Cambodia~Explore the chronology of early Khmer art.
- Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History~Learn more about early artistic styles in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
ARCHIVAL RESOURCES
FUN FACTS
- Small versions of lingas, for use on home altars, were sometimes made in precious metals or in crystal.
- Linga sometimes take the form of natural uncarved stone.
TEACHING IDEAS
RULES
Apply to objects where number equals 2010.7
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General Description
The Khmer kings of the 9th to 13th centuries constructed extensive temple complexes dedicated to the Buddha or to the Hindu gods, most often to Shiva. Shiva's role as the destroyer naturally incorporates the converse role of procreator, and it is thus, in the form of the linga (phallic symbol), that he is most often worshipped. In the central chamber of a temple the devotee venerates the god by praying, placing flowers and other offerings, and anointing the linga with water. As a symbol of fertility and a manifestation of Shiva, the linga often takes the simple form seen here.
The symbol of the linga derives from the story of the lingodbhava, when Shiva revealed himself before Brahma and Vishnu as a pillar of fire to exhibit his preeminence over those two other important deities. Neither Vishnu, in the form of Varaha diving into the sea to estimate the pillar's depth, nor Brahma, a hamsa (goose) flying into the air, could find the beginning or end of the pillar, thus establishing Shiva as the ultimate deity. The form of most lingas follows that of this example, with a square base representing Brahma, the octagonal midsection Vishnu, and the circular columnar upper portion Shiva, who presides over the other two divinities. The linga is generally set into a base known as the yoni, which represents the female genitals. When the linga is inserted into the yoni, the two lower square and octagonal portions are not visible, further symbolizing Shiva's dominance over the other two gods.
Adapted from
- Nancy Tingley, "Linga," in The Arts of India, South East Asia, and the Himalayas, Anne R. Bromberg (Dallas: Dallas Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2013), 211.
Fun Facts
- Small versions of lingas, for use on home altars, were sometimes made in precious metals or in crystal.
- Linga sometimes take the form of natural uncarved stone.
Archival Resources
Web Resources
- National Museum of Cambodia~Explore the chronology of early Khmer art.
- Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History~Learn more about early artistic styles in Cambodia, Vietnam, and Thailand.
Notes
Catalogue essays
Artist/designers
Cultures
Khmer: AAT: 300386546
Geography
Cambodia (nation): TGN: 1000109
Process/materials
sandstone: AAT: 300011376
Historical periods
Individuals
Subject terms
abstract (general art genre): AAT: 300417511
Brahma (Hindu deity): DMA
creator gods: AAT: 300412038
devotional objects: AAT: 300234144
fertility: AAT: 300379149
fire (physical concept): AAT: 300417275
geometric shape: AAT: 300263819
Hinduism: AAT: 300073727
Khmer: AAT: 300386546
lingams: AAT: 300265261
phallic: AAT: 300263529
pillar: AAT: 300264605
power: AAT: 300374809
sculpture: AAT: 300047090
Shiva (Hindu deity): DMA
symbolism: AAT: 300055865
Temples: AAT: 300007595
Vishnu (Hindu deity): DMA
wisdom: AAT: 300380150
yonis: AAT: 300265262
RELATED OBJECTS
PROVENANCE
From 2010: Dallas Museum of Art, gift of David T. Owsley
The main source of this provenance is the deed of gift, dated April 26, 2010. Copy in Dallas Museum of Art Collections Records object file.
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VIDEO ASSETS
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