I agree that it is difficult to tell if it is a representation of a makara or not, especially since they need to use the vegitable motifs instead of images outright to keep the Islamic principle in the Qur'an against graven images. Same idea applies to the Malasians and Moros. Think of the cockatu bird head made of stylized vegitable (okir) designs. I know that Java and Sumatra are Muslim areas.
|