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Very rare Pair of original Antique Himalayan Chitapati bronze Skeletons once used in important Himalayan rituals. Depicted as male and female, standing with grimacing countenances, Condition is constant with age an natural worn from use. Mounted on custom bases for presentation.
Citipati known in Sanskrit as (चितिपति) is a protector deity or supernatural being in Tibetan Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism of India. It is formed of two skeletal deities, one male and the other female, both dancing wildly with their limbs intertwined inside a halo of flames representing change. The Citipati is said to be one of the seventy-five forms of Mahakala.
Their dancing also serves as a symbol for death and rebirth, for the Citipati consist of both halves of the human body, male and female.[2][3] Their skeletal form is a reminder of the impermanence of life and eternal change. The Citipati is a protector of graveyards and is known as Lord of the Cemetery or Lord of the Crematorium. The Citipati implied warning to Tantrism clearly, and it is thought that it became one of opportunities when Tibetan Buddhism parted from Tantrism or Guhyasamāja Tantra. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Citipati could be interpreted in both of "Śīla Pāramitā" and "Dhyāna pāramitā", but was interpreted it as "Śīla pāramitā" and was placed Mahakala as Deva.
Age: Early 19th century
Size: 21 1/4"High x 6" Wide x 6" Deep
Citipati known in Sanskrit as (चितिपति) is a protector deity or supernatural being in Tibetan Buddhism and Vajrayana Buddhism of India. It is formed of two skeletal deities, one male and the other female, both dancing wildly with their limbs intertwined inside a halo of flames representing change. The Citipati is said to be one of the seventy-five forms of Mahakala.
Their dancing also serves as a symbol for death and rebirth, for the Citipati consist of both halves of the human body, male and female.[2][3] Their skeletal form is a reminder of the impermanence of life and eternal change. The Citipati is a protector of graveyards and is known as Lord of the Cemetery or Lord of the Crematorium. The Citipati implied warning to Tantrism clearly, and it is thought that it became one of opportunities when Tibetan Buddhism parted from Tantrism or Guhyasamāja Tantra. In Mahayana Buddhism, the Citipati could be interpreted in both of "Śīla Pāramitā" and "Dhyāna pāramitā", but was interpreted it as "Śīla pāramitā" and was placed Mahakala as Deva.
Age: Early 19th century
Size: 21 1/4"High x 6" Wide x 6" Deep
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item #1414682
