Bidspirit auction | Large Lama Vajra with ”Makara”

Large Lama Vajra with ”Makara” - Large Lama Vajra with ”Makara” Tibet, probably 19th century. Bronze, partly gilded. L. 19 cm. The vajra has a compressed spherical central grip and is flanked by lotus blossoms; both ends are depicted with water dragon heads. Signs of age and use. The vajra is a Buddhist ritual object of Indian origin, widely used in Tibetan Buddhism. It symbolizes indestructibility and irresistible power. Although closely associated with Tibetan Buddhism, it also influenced Japanese esoteric Buddhism, particularly Shingon Buddhism. The Sanskrit word ”Makara,” also called ”Mangkon,” refers to water creatures in Hindu and Buddhist mythology. In Chinese, the term is mo-jie or yu-long. The influence of the Makara in China is similar to that of the dragon (Lóng).