Antique bronze thogchag pendant Vajrapani

Vajrapani is one of the earliest-appearing bodhisattva's in the teachings of Mahayana, Theravada and Vajrayana Buddhism. He is one of the three 'Great Bodhisattva's', the three bodhisattva's that are the nearest companions of Gautama Buddha. In this trinity, Vajrapani respresents the Power of Buddha, Avalokiteshvara represents the Compassion and Manjushri the Wisdom.

Being not only the Buddha's nearest companions, but also the greatest protectors ('dharmapala') of his teachings, they all have both peaceful and wrathful manifestations.

The name "Vajrapani" can be translated as "holder of the thunderbolt", the thunderbolt being the vajra he holds in his right hand. In his most iconic posture, the index finger from this right hand is extended into 'tarjani' position, a typical wrathful gesture. His left hand is in 'karana' position, to ward off evil.

This bronze pendant is made to resemble an ancient 'thogchag' (or 'thokcha'). Thogchags are small metal objects, worn as amulets. Their history can be dated back thousands of years and the real thogchags are said to be made of meteorite iron (or at least a metal alloy which also includes meteorite iron) and have fallen from the sky or magically produced when a thunderbolt strikes the earth. 

Thogchags can be made in several forms and often depict tantric deities, mythological or real animals or ancient symbols. Also ritual attributes such as phurba's or dorje's can often be found and even more daily, practical attributes such as arrowheads, fibulae and pieces of horse equipment. They often are very abstract in their depictions, which for really old pieces of course further increases by being worn out into smooth surfaces and gaining a distinct patina.

Real ancient thogchags are of course highly sought after and can be extremely expensive. So of course in more recent times also many 'new' thogchags are made, resembling the style and depictions of the old ones.

This pendant here in our shop is such a recently made thogchag, though the term 'recent' might not be completely adequate, because this pendant also has quite some years of age to it already. It might not be ancient, but certainly of some respectable age already and has gained a beautiful dark patina over time.

Sizes: approximately 4,8 centimeters high and 4 centimeters wide. Weight is 32 grams.