Sanchi: Stupa No. 2, detail of sculpture of peacock
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Photographer: Arthur Llewellyn Basham
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Peacocks are also vehicle animals, They are associated with the war-god, Skanda-Karttikeya, and bear the god on their backs whenever he appears as a motif, Like the elephant, however, when they appear alone they take on a variety of other meanings whether cosmic or idyllic in nature, At one point they may simply represent the abundance of life in the world of the gods, The Indians admired the splendid bird for its great beauty too, Thus, it was a jewel-like addition to their decoration wherever it appeared, King Asoka was among the first to give the peacock royal distinction, for his own royal medallion bore its representation,
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Archives Series
Basham Collection
Date created
circa 1970s
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This image is provided for research purposes only and must not be reproduced without the prior permission of the Archives Program, Australian National University.
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Restricted until
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