The students of University of Brighton MA Photography host their degree exhibition
"Il n'y a en art, ni passé, ni futur. L'art qui n'est pas dans le présent ne sera jamais." (Pablo Picasso)
“Chimera, who breathed raging fire, a fearful, great, swift-footed and strong creature, who had three heads, one of a grim-eyed lion; in her hinderpart, a dragon; and in her middle, a goat; and bre…
“Tailtiu’s themes are the first harvest and excelling in a craft or sport. Her symbol is bread. The Irish Goddess Tailtiu was the foster mother of the god of light, Lugh, whom this dat…
Many online sources suggest that the above image, a wood carving, represents the goddess, Kali, one of the most important figures in Hinduism, representing the female principle. However, my current…
Wikipedia article about Macha
Krishna Venugopala. Bikaner, circa 1750. 17.5cm by 10cm.
Long ago in Ireland, in the time of the Fianna, one of the greatest and most famous warriors under Finn mac Cumhaill’s leadership was named Diarmuid O’Duibhne. Diarmuid was the son of a man named Donn, and he was raised with his half-brother, the son of a man named Roc. One day, the son of […]
Paramasukha—Chakrasamvara (detail) Tangka, Gouache on cotton Tibet, late 15th-early 16th century
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Birth and Childhood Cúchulainn was the son of the Celtic god Lugh and a mortal princess. He was destined for a short glorious life, and he was often depicted with the shadow of his doom looming over his shoulder. As a boy his name was Setanta. On a journey to join the king of Ulster’s […]
“Triduana’s themes are banishing, health and protection. Her symbols are water and oak. In Scotland, this Goddess rules over sacred water sources, from which She selflessly gives Her e…
Goddess Saraswati devi Saraswati: Goddess of Knowledge &Arts Goddess Saraswati Devi, the goddess of knowledge and arts, represents the free flow of wisdom and consciousness. Goddess Saraswati Devi is the mother of the Vedas, and chants to her, called the 'Saraswati Vandana' often begin and end Vedic lessons. Goddess Saraswati Devi is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. It is believed that goddess Saraswati Devi endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. She has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning: mind, intellect, alertness and ego. Goddess Saraswati Devi has sacred scriptures in one hand and a lotus – the symbol of true knowledge – in the second. With her other two hands she plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called the veena. She is dressed in white – the symbol of purity – and rides on a white swan – symbolizing Sattwa Guna or purity and discrimination. Goddess Saraswati Devi is also a prominent figure in Buddhist iconography - the consort of Manjushri. The learned and the erudite attach greater importance to the worship of goddess Saraswati devi. As a practice, only educated people worship her for knowledge and wisdom. They believe that only Saraswati can grant them 'moksha' - the final liberation of the soul. Goddess Saraswati's birthday - Vasant Panchami - is a Hindu festival celebrated every year on the 5th day of the bright fortnight of the lunar month of Magha. Hindus celebrate this festival with great fervor in temples, homes and educational institutes alike. Read more about Vasant Panchami The following popular 'pranam mantra' or Sanskrit prayer, Saraswati devotees utter with utmost devotion eulogizes the goddess of knowledge and arts: Om Saraswati Mahabhagey, Vidye Kamala Lochaney |Viswarupey Vishalakshmi, Vidyam Dehi Namohastutey ||Jaya Jaya Devi, Charachara Sharey, Kuchayuga Shobhita, Mukta Haarey |Vina Ranjita, Pustaka Hastey, Bhagavati Bharati Devi Namohastutey ||The beautiful human form of Saraswati comes to the fore in this English translation of the Saraswati hymn: "May Goddess Saraswati, who is fair like the jasmine-colored moon, and whose pure white garland is like frosty dew drops; who is adorned in radiant white attire, on whose beautiful arm rests the veena, and whose throne is a white lotus; who is surrounded and respected by the Gods, protect me. May you fully remove my lethargy, sluggishness, and ignorance." Goddess Saraswati Saraswati is the Hindu Goddess of learning and the arts. She is the daughter of Lord Shiva and Goddess Durga. Goddess Saraswati is first referred to in literature as the personification of the sacred river, the Saraswati, also known as Sarasvati, and is also identified with Vac, the goddess of speech. In later Hinduism Saraswati is usually considered the consort of the God Brahma (the promulgator of the Veda), but she enjoys an autonomous position as the patroness of art, music and letters. It is believed that Goddess Saraswati endows human beings with the powers of speech, wisdom and learning. The goddess has four hands representing four aspects of human personality in learning; mind, intellect, alertness and ego. The goddess has sacred scriptures in one hand, a lotus in the second hand, which is a symbol of true knowledge. With her other two hands, the goddess plays the music of love and life on a string instrument called Veena (violin). Goddess Saraswati is dressed in white, which symbolizes purity and rides on a white swan that symbolizes Sattwa Guna (purity) and discrimination. Goddess Saraswati is annually worshiped with great enthusiasm by Hindu students and teachers alike at the advent of spring, when the Hindu year occurs in January-February.
(By Tsem Rinpoche) Machig Labdron (main figure), a the famous 11th century awakened Tibetan yogini (click to enlarge) Machig Labdrön (ma gcig labs sgr...
