Aizen Myōō, The Wisdom King of Passion, 16th century
Unknown Japaneseexpand_more
Ink, color, and gold on silkexpand_more
Gift of Dr. Robert Poorexpand_more 80.90.1
Not on Viewexpand_more
The fierce Buddhist deity known as Aizen Myōō is one of four Wisdom Kings who guard the four cardinal directions (north, south, west, east) around a central king known as the Immovable One (Fudō Myōō). Aizen is believed to have the ability to transform sexual passion into sacred love and desire for enlightenment. Backed by a fiery halo, wearing a lion-mask helmet, red-skinned, triple-eyed, and bearing an assortment of weapons and ritual objects in his six arms, Aizen is indeed fearsome. He sits on a lotus pedestal within a red orb that floats above a golden urn overflowing with multicolored wish-granting jewels. More jewels, scattered on the ground, symbolize this deity’s generosity in bestowing treasures on those who worship him.
Details
- Title
- Aizen Myōō, The Wisdom King of Passion
- Role
- Artist
- Accession Number
- 80.90.1
- Curator Approved
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