Marking of the Buddha

Symbolism

Usnisa or turban shaped protuberance

Urna or tuft of hair between the eyes

Mudras

The symbolic gestures of the hands of Buddha images, called mudras, are picture tools of identification of deeper meaning:


The Gesture of Teaching (Dharmacakra Mudra) with both hands in front of the breast, tips of the index finger and the thumps touching.

 

Elongated ear lobes.

  1. •Forty perfectly spaced teeth so white he never has to brush.

  2. •Long tongue with excellent sense of taste

Blue eyes

Aura of light glowing from Buddha.

Lotus Leaf known for repelling water is seen as a sign of purity

Broad strong muscular shoulders.

Legs in meditative or Lotus Position.

The Lotus plant grows in swampy water. Here we can see a stork to give some perspective on how big the leaves can get.
Here we have the Buddha after enlightenment with his hands in the teaching position.
toes are perfectly proportioned
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Resources

The Buddha’s 32 Marks

Himalayan Art

Ruben Museum Guide

Reclining Buddha is not just laying around he represents the last moments of the Buddha’s life.

Image of a thousand spoked wheel on both the sole of the feet but also the palm.
Head
Body
Hands
Feet
In Siddhārtha’s early years he was well known for his unnatural strength. He once shot an arrow through seven trees to impress a girl.
The aura is sometimes represented with flowers or sunlight shining from the Buddha.

This site was created by Dave Sexton at the NEH Summer Institute "Literatures, Religions, and Arts of the Himalayan Region," held at the College of the Holy Cross, Summer 2011