Vintage Tibetan amulet wallhanger Mahakala

Vintage wallhanging amulet made in the traditional Tibetan Buddhist style in which a symbol, amulet or figurine is combined with a banner of multi-layered silk brocade with tassels.

The multi-colored, shiny and elaborate applique banner represents the auspicious blessings of the jewels of the dharma being sent forth as multi-colored rainbow light. This typical style of fabric usage can be found in many different applications in Himalayan regions; as a small banner in amulets such as these or as handle for ritual attributes (quite typical for Tibetan shang bells for example), but also in much bigger items such as the meters-long "shambu" wall decorations or the high "chukor" ceiling hangings in temples and monasteries.

This wallhangers feature a brass pendant with the depiction of Mahakala. Mahakala is a deity known in Hinduism and Buddhism. He is often depicted as a fierce, terrifying creature, embodying the wrathful dynamics of deities that also have a peaceful manifestation.

In Tibetan Buddhism, Mahakala is a wrathful emanation of different Buddha’s such as Amitabha and bodhisattva’s such as Avalokiteshvara, a boddhisattva representing the embodiment of universal compassion, who realized his peaceful methods were too mild to subdue the degenerate beings and thus manifested in a wrathful form to accomplish his compassionate intentions.

In Tibetan buddhism Mahakala is seen as a powerful protector of the dharma, which is one of the reasons why his depiction often can be found at the entrance of temples and monasteries.

In Hinduism, Mahakala is seen as a fierce manifestation of the supreme deity Shiva and the consort of the great goddess Mahakali. Here his name can also be found as ‘Mahakala Bhairava’, ‘Kala Bhairava’ or simply ‘Bhairav’.

The name ‘Mahakala’ consists of two Sanskrit words; ‘Maha’ meaning ‘great’ and ‘kala’ meaning ‘time’ or ‘death’. Mahakala can thus be seen as a personified form of Time itself; he is the ultimate destructive power, not bound or regulated by anything or anyone else and he eventually comes for everyone without distinction.

Iconography and symbolism of Mahakala may vary a bit between the different traditions of Buddhism and Hinduism, tho also depictions of him can be found interchangeable.

Symbolism that can often be found in depictions of Mahakala is for example; a third eye, representing clear, true vision and insights, not clouded by the distractions and illusions of the human mind and ego. And a crown with five skulls, representing the five 'poisonous delusions': anger, desire, ignorance, jealousy, and pride. And Mahakala is often depicted in black; the total absence of color, in which all colors just disappear, symbolizing the ultimate, absolute truth and his all-embracing, all-encompassing nature.

Also in traditional shamanism, such as the lineage of Spirit of Wolf, depictions of Mahakala (and other wrathful deities) can be found. Here they are also connected with Erlik Han, lord of the Underworld, and as such used in especially black shamanic work.

Total length of this wallhanger, (measured without the loop at the top and the tassels at the bottom) is approximately 22 centimeters. Weight is 125 grams. 

This wallhanger is from vintage origin and shows some signs of its age and previous usage, most noteable of which is that one of the tassels at the top is missing.

Only one available.