Very nice handmade Nepalese pendant with the image of Tara. The image has been carved in black glass, which has been set in a 'white metal'-alloy setting. The orange powder ('sindura') residue that can be seen on the pendant, shows that this pendant has been empowered in a Buddhist ritual setting.
Tara is one of the most popular and well-known deities in Buddhism. She can be seen as the female counterpart of the boddhisattva Avalokiteshvara. One of the stories about her origin tells how she was born from his stream of tears when he looked down from heaven and saw the increasing sufferings of humanity. One of Tara’s main goals is thus to relieve sufferings and aid human beings to achieve enlightenment. She is the essence of compassion.
Tara can manifest in 21 different aspects, most of which are named with a rainbow color. Very well known are for example White Tara (representing healing and longevity) and Green Tara (representing active compassion). Depending on the tradition, Tara is sometimes seen as a complete Buddha, sometimes as a bodhisattva. But in all traditions she is most famous for her immediate responsiveness.
She is often depicted sitting in half-lotus position, with her right leg lowered forward to the ground, ready to immediately jump up and go to the aid of someone calling her. She is a symbol of instant help, and can be called upon in critical situations where urgent assistance is needed. The only thing required to do, is to ask her assistance from an open and honest heart.
Sizes: approximately 38 millimeters high (measured without the eyelet), 35 millimeters wide and 10 millimeters thick. Weight is 23 grams.
Being from vintage origin, this pendant shows some signs of its age and previous usage.
