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Photograph by Bruce M. White, Rubin Museum of Art, 2010
Lotus Goddess, Lakshmi
Photograph by Bruce M. White, Rubin Museum of Art, 2010
Photograph by Bruce M. White, Rubin Museum of Art, 2010

Lotus Goddess, Lakshmi

OriginNepal
Date17th century
Dimensions24 1/4 × 20 1/2 × 8 1/2 in.
MediumWood with pigments and gilt repoussé
Classification(s)
Credit LineRubin Museum of Art, Formerly of Joe Gelpey Collection
Object numberC2008.1a-b
Himalayan Art Resources Number65821
DescriptionLakshmi is a goddess of wealth. Buddhists may identify her as Tara. Unequivocally, however, she is a lotus goddess. Her throne, pedestal, attributes, and tiara are all decorated with lotuses. A lotus naturally grows out of mud immediately after the monsoon rain and blossoms in autumn when rice is ready for harvesting. Thus, a lotus goddess is the goddess of wealth, of the harvest. The symbolism of the lotus, however, developed and is interpreted in many different ways in Buddhism and Hinduism.