Green Tara's name
carries various meanings, including Star, She who Ferries Across the ocean of
existence, She who Saves, The Liberator, and Saviouress.
Her right hand
extends in a boundless gesture of bestowing sublime realizations, known as
Varada Mudra, while her left-hand features an upward extension of all fingers
except the bent ring finger touching the thumb, representing Vitarka Mudra. This
gesture symbolizes the Three Jewels Mudra (Sangha, Dharma, Buddha) or Giving
Refuge.
She's adorned with
golden necklaces adorned with red and blue gemstones. Seated with her left leg
tucked, symbolizing wisdom and art, Green Tara holds merit
and wisdom within. Her extended right leg, poised as if ready to step off her
Lotus throne, embodies her role as a Goddess of Action.
The Auspicious Presence of Green Tara
This exquisite copper statue, crafted in the heart of Nepal, embodies the divine compassion and protective energy of Green Tara. Known as the "Mother of Liberation," Green Tara is a revered bodhisattva in Mahayana Buddhism, celebrated for her swift response to prayers and her ability to overcome obstacles and fears. Her form, rendered with meticulous detail and adorned with gold plating, emanates a powerful sense of serene majesty.
In Buddhist lore, Green Tara is said to have emerged from a tear of compassion shed by Avalokiteshvara, the Bodhisattva of Compassion. Her emergence from a pool of tears signifies her profound empathy for all sentient beings and her unwavering commitment to alleviating suffering. She represents the active aspect of wisdom, embodying swift action and fearless protection, much like a mother protecting her children. Her green color symbolizes her activity and her ability to flourish in all circumstances, representing abundance and fertility.Symbolism and Artistic Mastery
The posture of the statue is significant. Green Tara is depicted in the relaxed lalitasana pose, with her right leg extended and her left leg folded, signifying her readiness to spring into action to aid those in need. Her right hand is held in the varada mudra, the gesture of bestowing boons and blessings, symbolizing her boundless generosity. Her left hand, resting on her knee, is in the vitarka mudra, the gesture of teaching and argumentation, signifying the wisdom she imparts.
The intricate crown adorning her head, embellished with precious stones, speaks to her regal status as a celestial goddess. The delicate floral motifs and flowing garments suggest her divine grace and connection to the natural world. The accompanying decorative elements, featuring stylized flowers and swirling clouds, further enhance the ethereal quality of the sculpture, suggesting her swift and effortless movement through the heavens to answer devotees' calls. The use of copper, a sacred metal in many traditions, is further elevated by the lustrous gold plating, creating a visually stunning representation that captures the divine radiance of the goddess.A Legacy of Devotion
Statues of Green Tara are central to Buddhist practice, serving as focal points for meditation, prayer, and devotion. They are believed to bring peace, protection, and good fortune to those who venerate them. This particular statue, originating from Nepal, carries with it the rich artistic heritage and spiritual depth of the region, where craftsmanship and devotion are interwoven. The skilled artisans have poured their spiritual understanding and artistic talent into this creation, making it not just an object of beauty but a conduit for divine connection. Owning such a statue is seen as inviting the benevolent presence of Green Tara into one's home or sacred space, fostering an environment of peace, wisdom, and protection.How are Nepalese copper statues made?
Nepalese statues and sculptures are best known for their unique
small religious figures and ritual paraphernalia for over two
thousand years. These are mainly cast in copper alloy. Nepal draws
influences from the artistic styles of Buddhism and Hinduism, and
therefore the sculptors of the country specialize in making the
icons of both these religions. Over the years, Nepalese sculptures
evolved into their own distinctive iconography. Some
characteristic features of these sculptures that differ from other
pieces are exaggerated physical postures, youthful and sensual
features, languid eyes, wider faces having serene expressions, and
ornate flourishes. The Buddhist deity icons of Nepal have
tremendous demand in countries such as China and Tibet for ritual
purposes in their temples and monasteries.
Nepalese statues and sculptures have a high copper content and
therefore develop a slightly reddish patina on the surface as they
age. However, the most unique feature of Nepalese copper statues
is their decorative detailing. The pieces are heavily gilded and
sometimes inlaid with semi-precious stones. This embellishment
protects them from getting tarnished. The traditional lost-wax
method for casting Nepalese copper statues remains the most
practiced technique in Nepal for many centuries. This process
involves many steps and requires skilled artists.
The first step in lost-wax sculpting is to make a wax replica of
the desired Buddhist deity to be cast in copper. This replica is
created by hand and therefore needs excellent artistic skills
otherwise fine features will be lacking.
Once the wax replica is made, it is then coated with a special
mixture of clay with a brush. This layer of clay is hardened when
left to dry. A small hole is made on the base of the wax mould so
that the wax flows away when it is heated.
At this stage, a hollow mould in the shape of the deity is
obtained.
This is the time to pour liquid copper into the hollow mould which
is then allowed to cool and harden inside a container of cold
water. When the liquid metal has hardened, the mould is removed
and the statue within is revealed.
The artist works on the details of the statue using various tools.
It is then polished to get a shiny and lustrous surface.
Now comes the most important part of Nepalese art which is gold
gilding. This is done by the traditional fire gilding method. A
mixture of mercury and 18K gold is applied on the surface of the
statue and heat is applied using a flame torch. The result is that
mercury evaporates along with impurities, leaving a pure 24K gold
finish.
The lost-wax method of sculpting is the most preferred technique
for artists to cast a metallic statue having intricate details.
Since Nepalese copper sculptures require extraneous effort for
giving a majestic look by adding special embellishments, it takes
several weeks to complete one masterpiece. A 24K gold gilded
copper sculpture retains its brilliant luster for many years and
appears as like before. Nepalese sculptures continue to remain one of the finest specimens of the art of the East that have a strong
aesthetic appeal that other sculptures cannot match.
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