Download Mica Oszczakiewicz Michelle Jubin Objects as History 24, October

Mica Oszczakiewicz
Michelle Jubin
Objects as History
24, October 2013
There are definitely certain visual elements that reoccur in objects connected to
systems of belief. Two systems of belief that have been a part of my upbringing and
adult life are Christianity and Buddhism. These two belief systems have been major
focuses of study throughout different periods of my life and have also found their way
into the curriculum of my Objects as History Course. Visual symbolism is a reoccurring
visual element in Christian and Buddhist objects. There also happen to be many
congruent symbols that exist in both Catholic and Buddhist objects such as
personification and the use of hand gestures.
Personification shows up in many objects in both Buddhism and Christianity. At
the Cloisters, there are tapestries that hang in one of the many rooms with depictions of
a unicorn hunt. The unicorn is said to be a symbol for Christ within these tapestries and
other christian objects. In these specific tapestries, the unicorn hunt is symbolizing the
crucifixion of Christ. In Buddhist objects, the Buddha is personified as a tree repeatedly.
The stupa of Borobudur is a good example of this personification because there are
many depictions of the Buddha as a tree on the walls. At the Rubin Museum of Art,
there are also many example of animal symbols in Himalayan Buddhist art. Some
pieces show rats and snakes as symbols for wealth and greediness, where as
elephants are incorporated into other pieces as a symbol of strength of mind. Similarly
in Christian objects, the lamb, the fish, and the dove are symbols for the Holy Trinity.
Not only can personification be seen as a reoccurring symbol in both Christian and
Buddhist objects, but so can the implementation of hand gestures as symbols.
Hand gestures appear as a visual symbol in objects in order to inform the
audience of meanings the exist within said objects. In many Buddhist sculptures that
Mica Oszczakiewicz
Michelle Jubin
Objects as History
24, October 2013
depict the historical Buddha he is shown to have his right hand pointing downward
toward the earth in the ‘earth-touch’ gesture and his left hand in his lap in meditation
gesture. There were many sculptures that fit this description at the Rubin Museum of
Art. The earth-touch gesture is a symbol for the moment that the Buddha was
enlightened and defeated the army of Mara beneath the bodhi-tree and called upon the
earth to bear witness to his accomplishments. His left hand in the meditation gesture
symbolizes the stability of the buddha’s meditative state. Hand gestures are also used
as visual symbols in Christianity. In the specific type of statue called a ‘Throne of
Wisdom’ statue, of which there are many at the Cloisters, both Jesus and Mary are
depicted with powerful hand gestures in many examples on display. In one particular
Spanish example of a Throne of Wisdom statue at the Cloisters, Baby Jesus is shown
with his hand held up with his thumb and first two fingers extended while his last two
fingers are closed. This hand gesture is the symbol showing that Jesus was saying
something important or giving the word of the Lord. Mary’s hand was shown holding and
apple which is a symbol of the fall of man which is the reason humans were in need of
redemption. When the apple is placed in the hands of Mary, it symbolizes that she is the
second coming of Eve.
Even though Buddhism and Christianity are vastly different systems of belief, it is
interesting that there are visual elements that happen to be very similar throughout both.
The implementation of visual symbols such as personification and hand gestures in both
Buddhist and Christian objects is thought-provoking. It leads to the question of whether
these occurrences are merely coincidental or if they have reason behind them. Because
the similarities are so congruent and there are so many examples of the same symbols
Mica Oszczakiewicz
Michelle Jubin
Objects as History
24, October 2013
in both Christianity and Buddhism, it is safe to say these instances are not simply a
coincidence but a trend in systems of belief.