Ethnographic Arms & Armour

Quote:

Originally Posted by VANDERNOTTE

new pic

Salaams VANDERNOTTE ~ I have no idea of the quality but perhaps it is mid to low end of the spectrum going by the detail in the blade (or the way it has been cut). I am interested in the design since it appears to be our old friend the Makara either side of some sort of badge in the form of a leaf pattern motif. Makara are very very common around Kathmandu. here's what a website http://dharmasculpture.com/makara-bu...n-serpent.html had to say~

Quote "As an ancient Indian mythological symbol, the Makara is a hybrid creature, formed from a number of animals that collectively possess the nature of a crocodile.

It has the lower jaw of a crocodile, the snout or trunk of an elephant, the tusks and ears of a wild boar, the darting eyes of a monkey, the scales and flexible body of a fish, and the swirling tail feathers of a peacock. During its stylistic evolution from the ancient Indian to the present Tibetan form, the Makara has also gained a lion's fore-paws, a horse's mane, the gills and tendrils of a fish, and the horns of a deer or dragon. From its once simply feathered fishtail now emerges a complex spiraling pattern, known as a 'makara-tail' (Sanskrit. makaraketu) design.

The nature of the crocodile is one of power and tenacity, as proverbially the crocodile will not release its prey until death has occurred. The Makara is widely represented upon many Vajrayana weapons as a symbol of this tenacious strength. These weapons include the axe, iron hook, curved knife, vajra, and ritual dagger, where the blade or point of these various weapons emerge from the open mouth (Sanskrit. makaramukha) of this creature."Unquote.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.