Minneapolis Institute of Art
Chakra
Japan
- Date
- 13th century
- Medium
- Gilt bronze
- Department
- Asian Art
- Institution
- Minneapolis Institute of Art
This implement was used in Buddhist rituals. Its wheel shape is derived from an ancient Indian throwing weapon, or chakra, that was believed to be one of the seven treasures of universal monarchs known as chakravartin (literally, “wheel-turning kings”). The mystical weapon was believed to scatter the monarch’s enemies in all directions. In Buddhism, it came to symbolize the vanquishing of passions and desires that lead to human suffering. Japan, Asia
The authoritative record is held by Minneapolis Institute of Art. LinkedCulture surfaces this object and its connections; it does not alter institutional metadata.
Related across collections
Semantically similar works from Minneapolis Institute of Art and other institutions.
The Wheel of Law (Dharmachakra), from a Set of Initiation Cards (Tsakali)
Art Institute of Chicago
Personification of the Discus
Cleveland Museum of Art
Icon Plaque (Kakebotoke) with bodhisattva
Art Institute of Chicago
Achala, King of the Wrathful Ones
Cleveland Museum of Art
Chakra-Purusha, the Personified Discus Weapon of Vishnu
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Ritual dagger (Phurba)
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Five-pronged vajra
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Vajra hammer
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Buddhist Ritual Bell
Cleveland Museum of Art
De bodhisattva Manjushri
Rijksmuseum
Palanquin Hooks
Minneapolis Institute of Art
Ritual Flaying Knife (Kartrika)
Art Institute of Chicago