Sacred Architecture
This structure is a solid mound that cannot be entered and was built to house relics of the Buddha.
What is the Great Stupa at Sanchi?
Thousands of life-sized soldiers were created to accompany this emperor into the afterlife.
Who is Qin Shi Huangdi?
This ritual act involves walking clockwise around a sacred structure.
What is circumambulation?
These Korean burial objects made of gold and jade signify wealth and afterlife status.
What is the Gold and Jade Crown (Silla Kingdom)?
Mount Fuji appears in this ukiyo-e print series of Thirty-Six Views.
What is Under the Wave off Kanagawa (The Great Wave)?
This Hindu temple mountain was built to legitimize King Suryavarman II’s divine authority.
What is Angkor Wat?
This Chinese imperial hall sits on a raised terrace along a north-south axis to emphasize the emperor’s divine status.
What is the Hall of Supreme Harmony?
At Borobudur, worshippers ascend terraces symbolizing this spiritual journey.
What is the path to enlightenment?
This Chinese porcelain pair is significant because of its dated inscription from 1351.
What are the David Vases?
Four arms, a drum, and fire identify this Hindu deity in Chola bronze sculpture.
Who is Shiva?
This Indonesian temple is designed as a three-dimensional mandala and symbolizes the Buddhist cosmos.
What is Borobudur?
This rock-cut cave complex demonstrates imperial sponsorship of Buddhism during the Tang dynasty.
What are the Longmen Caves?
The dry garden at this Zen temple promotes meditation and clarity.
What is Ryoan-ji?
Cobalt blue pigment on these ceramics reflects trade between China and the Middle East.
What is blue-and-white porcelain?
The stepped pyramid and central axis of Borobudur symbolize this cosmic concept.
What is the mandala?
This temple contains a garbhagriha housing Vishnu as Vaikuntha and includes erotic mithuna sculptures.
What is Lakshmana Temple?
The immense number and regimented order of these figures symbolize centralized authority and military dominance.
What are the Terra Cotta Warriors?
This hand gesture, meaning “do not fear,” is displayed by Shiva and the Buddha.
What is the abhaya mudra?
Clay was chosen for these funerary figures due to the massive scale of production required.
What are the Terra Cotta Warriors?
Relief carvings of the Churning of the Ocean of Milk appear at this Cambodian temple.
What is Angkor Wat?
This Mughal mausoleum uses minarets primarily for visual balance rather than the call to prayer.
What is the Taj Mahal?
This Hindu bronze depicts Shiva destroying and recreating the universe while dancing on the dwarf of ignorance.
What is Shiva as Lord of the Dance (Nataraja)?
This experience of seeing and being seen by a deity during worship is central to Hindu practice.
What is darshan?
Lavish gold leaf and abstract organic forms characterize this Rinpa school masterpiece.
What is White and Red Plum Blossoms?
Tiny human figures dwarfed by mountains in this painting emphasize humanity’s insignificance in nature.
What is Travelers among Mountains and Streams?