Birth from a Lotus

3F · World Art · Central Asia

Once adorning the wall of a temple, this piece depicts the soul of the deceased being reborn in the Pure Land paradise. The scriptures record that one is reborn from a lotus when reborn in the Pure Land; because the lotus blooms unstained even from the mud, it has been used in many religious images as a symbol of sacred, pure birth. Double lotus petals are modeled in a radiating pattern to render the moment of birth realistically, and the figure raising both hands is portrayed as a bodhisattva complete with a head halo, earrings, a chest ornament, and bracelets. Almost all of the original coloring has flaked away and no longer remains.

See it in person at the National Museum of Korea — 3F · World Art · Central Asia

Source: based on official e-museum records (National Museum of Korea).