Makara

 


The makara is an aquatic chimera originating in Hindu mythology, but also found in Buddhism. It's legend is known in many countries, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, and all over South East Asia. The name makara means water monster in Sanskrit. The legend of the makara is very old, as images of it date back to the Vedic era (1500 BCE).

The Makara's appearance is extremely varied. At it's most basic the makara is a chimera of mammal in the front and a water living creature in the back. The most common combinations are an elephant or stag head with a crocodile, fish or whale body. The makara may also have a peacock's tail on occasion. Older depictions of the makara had even more animals mixed in, in addition to the ones listed above it could also have boar's tusks, lion's paws and mouse's ears.



The makara symbolized the might and power of water, such as floods, rapids and tides. It also represented the dangerous animals that lived in water, especially crocodiles. Images of the makara were used to protect against such threats, and the makara became known as a protector because of this. Because of this images of the Makara can be found in many places in Hindu art. The Makara is the vahana or vehicle of Varuna, the god of the sea, and the river goddesses Ganga and Narmada. The makara is also a guardian of gateways and thresholds and is often carved into door frames in temples. The Makara is depicted on the doorway to Shiva's temple along with a lion. Makara ear rings are also warn by several gods, including Shiva, Vishnu, Surya and Chandi. In Hindu astrology makara is the Capricorn constellation.

Through the silk road the makara may have influenced Greek monsters or Greek monsters may have influenced it. Such monsters are the aigikampos (Capricorn) and the Cetus.  



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