Deity from a Set of Five Pancharaksha Goddesses Qing dynasty (1644–1911), 19th century

This gilt bronze deity from a set of five Pancharaksha Goddesses was crafted by a Chinese artist. Note the three faces, each gazing in a different direction, a powerful symbol of all-seeing awareness, not unlike the Greek Hecate. The multiple arms, each bearing symbolic gestures, multiply the deity’s capacity for action and intervention in the world. Consider the mudras, hand gestures, each a silent language. One hand is in a teaching pose, inviting knowledge and understanding. These symbols have ancient roots, appearing across cultures in various forms— from ancient Greek sculptures to Indian deities. The motif of radiating power, through multiple limbs or faces, taps into our collective unconscious, evoking awe and reverence. Such iconography is not static, it evolves. The deity's serene expression, though, serves as a constant, reminding us of the enduring human quest for transcendence.