Art Institute of Chicago

Ritual Flaying Knife (Kartrika)

Tibet

Date

17th/18th century

Medium

Gilt iron

Culture

Tibet

Department

Arts of Asia

Institution

Art Institute of Chicago

The flaying knife (kartrika) is one of the most prominent weapons used by Tantric Buddhism's angry deities, both male and female, especially the Mahakala and the Vajrayogini class of deities. They typically brandish a flaying knife in one hand and a skullcup (kapala) in the other. The blade, which is surmounted by the flayed mantle of a stylized lion, terminates in a sharp point or curved hook, and combines the flaying implements of a cutting-knife and scraping blade with the piercing activity of a dagger or pulling-hook. The handle usually consists of a half vajra, or thunderbolt, as here, and is a quintessential symbol of Vajrayana Buddhism. In visual images and in the literature, the kartrika is used as a blade to skin the hides of demons, animals, and humans. Conceptually, its purpose is to cut up disbelievers, and to kill ignorance.

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