This Islamic divine love poem, transcribed in the Naskh script, is attributed to Vassal-i Shirazi, a prominent Iranian calligrapher of the 19th century. Created approximately four years prior to the artist's passing, the composition reflects the theme of an afterlife. ...

Guru Dragpur is a highly venerated and formidable figure in Tibetan Buddhism. He is commonly portrayed in an enraged form, serving as a powerful guardian of the Dharma, and demolishing obstacles on the journey to enlightenment. As per the tradition, ...

The Sapta Chakra, a manuscript from 1899, contains this illustration from the 19th century. It shows the hidden connection between the mind, the body, and the subtle energy that flows through them. This energy is mapped by an ancient Indian ...

Krishna riding on Garuda is symbolic in many ways. Garuda is considered a symbol of power, speed, and freedom. Taking flight on Garuda represents the ability to soar above worldly problems and attain spiritual liberation. It also signifies the unity ...

"Colorful Realm of Living Beings," is a series of 30 large-scale paintings by Itō Jakuchū (1716-1800) that depict a variety of birds, flowers, and animals in vivid detail. Among the paintings in this series is "Fish and Octopus," a stunning ...

Amitayus Buddha, also known as Amitayus or Amitabha Buddha, is a celestial buddha of infinite light and life, according to Pure Land, Mahayana Buddhism. Amitayus resides in the western pure land of Sukhavati, which is also known as the Land ...

The use of a monkey and a tortoise in this image references a popular fable from the Chinese classic literature "Zhong yong," which tells the story of a monkey who climbs up a tall tree and jumps off, but the ...

Buddha Ratnasambhava is one of the five Dhyani Buddhas in Tibetan or Vajrayana Buddhism. Ratnasambhava is associated with wealth and prosperity. He's often shown with various wealth deities, such as Vasudhara and Jambhala. Together with these wealth deities, Buddha Ratnasambhava ...

The Indian Pitta Bird is a prominent symbol in Indian culture and folklore. It is referenced in Indian poetry and literature as a representation of the arrival of spring due to its vivid plumage and vibrant hues. Symbolically, the bird ...

In the Nepali Hindu tradition, Indra is considered one of the major gods and is associated with the monsoon season and the fertility of the land. In this context, Garuda is often depicted as a symbol of the destructive power ...

The Jain tantric diagram is a complex piece of art that holds great symbolic significance. At the center is a stylized lotus flower with a seated Jina, representing a spiritual teacher. The lotus flower represents purity, enlightenment, and spiritual liberation. ...

Sak Yant tattoos, also referred to as Yantra or Thai Temple tattoos, involve intricate designs of geometric patterns, symbols, animals, deities and sacred texts, which hold deep cultural and spiritual value. They're applied manually with a cluster of needles, often ...

Taguchi Tomoki was a Japanese woodblock print artist during the late Edo period (1603-1868). He was known for his detailed and realistic depictions of animals, and his work is highly prized by collectors. The print is part of a series ...

The Theatrum Chemicum Britannicum (1652) remains a valuable historical source for understanding the role of alchemy in shaping the foundations of modern science and chemistry. The shirt features the symbol for Foras, a powerful demon who teaches hermetics, including the ...

Edo-period Ukiyo-e Master, Yoshitoshi, portrays a female abalone diver, known as an "ama" in Japanese, engaged in a dramatic struggle with a formidable octopus underwater. The ama were skilled free-divers who harvested seafood like abalones, pearls, and other marine delicacies ...

"Strange and Marvelous Turtles of Happiness" is a triptych woodblock print by the Japanese artist Utagawa Kuniyoshi, created between 1847 and 1852. The print depicts 23 turtles with the faces of kabuki actors and stylized crests on their shells, gathered ...

Mandarin squares were sewn onto traditional Chinese robes, referred to as "changshan" or "pao," situated just beneath the shoulder. These emblems held significant importance in traditional Chinese attire, serving not only as indicators of an individual's rank and position but ...

"Le Poulpe Colossal," published in 1801, translates to "The Colossal Octopus" in English. In this book, Pierre Dénys de Montfort described and illustrated what he believed to be a giant octopus. He claimed that the creature had been sighted off ...

The tiger is revered as a powerful guardian and protector in Thai culture, and Sak Yant Tiger tattoos are believed to imbue the wearer with the tiger's protective energy. This can include protection from physical harm, as well as protection ...

A leopard antique Mandarin square, also known as a "buzi" or "mandarin badge," is a traditional Chinese ornament that was historically worn on the front and back of a high-ranking Mandarin official's robe during the Qing Dynasty (1644-1912). These square ...

Pastafarians worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster (FSM), a deity made of spaghetti and meatballs with two eyestalks. Pastafarians believe that the FSM created the universe after a night of revelry and is responsible for all aspects of existence. They may ...

Dragons were believed to be the celestial creatures that protected and represented the Chinese emperor. As a result, the presence of dragons on Mandarin squares (cloth badges or insignias) was a clear symbol of the wearer's connection to the imperial ...

One of the most famous stories of Durga slaying an asura revolves around her battle with the buffalo demon, Mahishasura. Mahishasura was a powerful asura who had received a boon from Lord Brahma, which made him nearly invincible. According to ...

Korean rank badges, known as hyungbae (胸背), were a significant part of the traditional attire worn during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) in Korea. These badges served as indicators of an individual's social and official status. Double cranes on the rank ...