Apsaras are mythical women who belonged in the water and the clouds, according to Buddhist and Hindu mythology. Beautiful, graceful and seductive, Apsaras were the wives of the court musicians who performed for the demi-god Indra. Their elaborate headdresses and garlands as well as their ripe bodies represent feminine power, beauty and fertility. These powerful women were angel-like in their ability to take flight into the skies and cared for the fallen heroes, adding an element of service to their supernatural powers.

The stunning Apsaras featured on this lacquer painting are poised on lotus flowers, which symbolize purity and spontaneous (divine) birth. According to Buddhist beliefs, man’s spirit is pure, like the lotus flower and therefore Buddhist virtues may grow spontaneously within the blossoms. In addition, lotus symbolizes the feminine principle.

The colors in this painting have symbolism as well, as gold represents fire and the sun in Buddhist beliefs and gold is considered the most valuable of metals. The black background represents the primordial darkness in which the world slows down until the darkness slowly becomes light. Moreover, in Buddhist paintings, black represents the darkness of ignorance and the progression into the light towards truth and clarity.

This is a beautiful and significant painting to place in your home or office and represents many important elements of truth, power, fertility and light.