The Hindu trinity of supreme divinity — the Trimurti — consists of Brahma the creator, Vishnu the preserver and Shiva the destroyer. Hindu cosmology includes the endless cycle of destruction and rebirth, in which destruction entails eradicating worldly delusion and imperfection, to facilitate transformation. Therefore, the deity of destruction represents not calamity, but instead a formidable regenerative force. It is for this reason that Shiva is worshipped.
Shiva has many guises, and this bronze sculpture is a classic work representing the deity as Nataraja, the Lord of Dance. Shiva’s dance is known as the cosmic dance, the energy that sets the universe in motion. Dancing between ecstasy and fury, the cosmos is destroyed only to emerge once again.
Details such as posture and gesture in religious sculpture generally have symbolic meaning in iconography, and this sculpture is no exception. The halo of flames surrounding the statue represents the universe. The drum Shiva is holding in his right hand on the rear pair of arms symbolizes the creation of the universe, while the flame held in his left hand on the rear pair of arms represents destruction. The right hand of his fore pair of arms is making the abhaya mudra gesture of fearlessness. The god’s right foot is standing on the dwarf Apasmara, who represents ignorance. This form of Shiva as Lord of Dance first appeared during the southern Indian Chola Dynasty (4th to 13th century BC), and was transmitted far and wide.
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles County Museum
照片:洛杉磯郡立美術館提供
Shiva was both the god of music and dance. Legend has it that he was the originator of dance, and could perform 108 types of dance, both feminine and masculine. Shiva’s Lord of Dance form is androgynous: Clean shaven, elegant and dignified.
(Translated by Paul Cooper)
印度神話中的三位主神是創造之神梵天、維護之神毗濕奴,以及毀滅之神濕婆。印度教的宇宙觀是不斷的毀滅與重生的循環──毀滅,是要破壞世上的虛幻與不完美,以促成轉變──因此毀滅之神不但不是災難性的,反而是代表強大無比的再生力量,濕婆因此極受崇拜。
Photo courtesy of Los Angeles County Museum
照片:洛杉磯郡立美術館提供
濕婆有許多種「相」,這件銅雕所呈現的是濕婆「舞蹈之王」相的典型作品。濕婆的舞蹈被稱為「宇宙之舞」,是運轉宇宙的動能──在跳舞的狂喜與狂怒中,宇宙灰飛煙滅、風雲再起。
宗教造像的舉手投足等細節,往往都有圖像學的象徵意義,這件雕塑也不例外:有火焰的外環代表宇宙,濕婆的後方右手拿著象徵宇宙創造的鼓,後方左手托著的火焰代表毀滅,前方右手呈「無畏印」的手勢;祂的右腳所踩的是象徵無知的小鬼。這樣的濕婆舞王像結構在南印度朱羅王朝(西元四世紀至十三世紀)時期出現,並廣為流傳。
濕婆也是音樂及舞蹈之神──傳說祂是印度舞蹈的始祖,會跳一百零八種舞,包括女性的柔軟舞,以及男性的剛健舞。濕婆舞王像無鬚、姿態優美、華麗莊嚴,有如雌雄同體。
(台北時報林俐凱)
A: Wow, singer Bruno Mars will be visiting Kaohsiung for the first time. B: Really? Where will he be performing? A: He’s going to hold a concert at the National Stadium on Sunday. B: Why do the Taiwanese like to call him the “Martian” in Chinese? A: Because his last name “Mars” is the same word as the planet Mars. A: 哇!火星人布魯諾將首度唱進高雄。 B: 真的嗎?在哪裡? A: 他將於本週日,在國家體育場開唱唷。 B: 但是為什麼台灣人喜歡叫他火星人呢? A: 因為他的姓氏「Mars」這個字剛好是「火星」的意思啊。 (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
A: Bruno Mars is definitely one of today’s most popular singers. B: He has even won 14 Grammy Awards. A: I love all his megahits, like “Just the Way You Are.” B: And his new song with Lady Gaga “Die with a Smile” has a caused worldwide sensation. A: I wonder if we’ll hear the new song at his Kaohsiung concert? A: 火星人布魯諾是近年來最受歡迎的流行歌手。 B: 對啊他還曾榮獲14座葛萊美獎。 A: 他所有的金曲我都愛,像《Just the Way You Are》。 B: 最近他和女神卡卡合唱《Die with a Smile》更造成大轟動! A: 不知道在高雄有沒有機會聽他演唱這首新歌呢? (By Eddy Chang, Taipei Times/台北時報張聖恩)
The Lord returned home after a long day of hunting, a deer on his horse and a bow on his back. His apprentice had stayed behind, feeling unwell. He rode slowly through the forest, closed his eyes, and felt the warm sunlight on his face. He opened his eyes to a full moon rising. Time to make offerings and pray for peace, good weather, a bountiful harvest. And a child with his beloved wife. He smiled. As he approached, the house was quiet. Too quiet. He dismounted in the empty courtyard. “Feng Meng?” he called. Silence. He went to his apprentice’s
You can’t help but notice the woman’s blonde hair, blue eyes, and bizarre outfit. She’s in a white dress that reaches below the knee and a Prussian blue jacket highlighted by a brooch on a ribbon at the collar. Together with her leather boots and the brown suitcase in hand, her overall look gives her an air of mystery. This distinctive appearance isn’t merely for style; it’s her way of embracing cosplay. Combining the words “costume” and “play,” cosplay is an art form in which participants dress up as specific characters, usually at anime conventions. It not only involves