Gajasimha

GAJASIMHA

Thap Mam, Binh Dinh | 12th century | Sandstone | [BTC 221]

Gajasimha has an elephant’s head and a lion’s body. In Indian mythology, an elephant’s head often symbolized the wisdom and power of a god and the lion body represented the king’s monarchy. Large Gajasimha statues are placed in front of the shrines, acting as gatekeepers. The art piece demonstrates the head of an elephant, the neck wearing a rattle, the chest hair stylized with the stripes often seen on the statues of the Thap Mam period. This sacred animal is a prominent and popular subject for many Champa sculptures during this period.

References

1. Official website of Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture: chammuseum.vn
2. Information points and annotations of artifacts at Danang Museum of Cham Sculpture.
3. “Vibrancy in Stone – Masterpieces of the Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture”
4. Information guidebook introducing 20 characteristic artifacts at Da Nang Museum of Cham Sculpture.
5. Presentation of tourist destinations in Da Nang.
6. Web portal of Da Nang city

DANANG CENTER FOR TOURISM PROMOTION