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Iconography of Hindu Goddess Kali

Introduction

Kali is a Sanskrit word that literally means “Black”. She is the Hindu goddess known for death and a major destruction, but also of renewal. In Indian mythology, she is an incarnation of the wrath of Durga. It is said that they sprung from the forehead and then fulfilled the universe with their terrible roar. In other myths she is the dark side of Parvati and the Mahavidyas.

The Kali is shown mostly in black, and sometimes in blue. It has several branches, usually four or ten, and wears a necklace of skulls, a skirt of severed arms, sometimes a dead child attached to her ear. The attributes can vary in their hands: She usually holds a severed head, a menacing raised crescent and a bowl of blood. On the front there is the "third eye" and she stretched her tongue out wide. However, on many accounts is her right hand raised in blessing and comforting and shows giving mudra (hand gesture) (Foulston, p.65-78).

Discussion

Iconography

The iconography of Kali reflects the various beliefs and mythology about her. In keeping with her name, she is often black or dark blue—colors representing tamas, the aspect of energy responsible for dispersion, and ultimately inertia and the limitless void from which all things come. Tamas is also associated with delusion. Because Kali is beyond both fear and ignorance, she can protect and enlighten those who invoke her. Thus she is often depicted with one of her four or more hands in the fear-removing gesture (abhaya mudra), and with another hand in the boon-granting gesture of compassion (varada mudra), or carrying a bowl of plenty.

Early imagery of Kali, particularly in the north, depicts her on the battlefield dancing wildly while drunk on the blood of her victims, or in a cremation ground sitting or standing on a corpse (shava) or ghost (preta). She is emaciated and naked, wearing only a long garland of human skulls or severed heads, and a girdle of severed arms or hands. A vertical third eye is in the middle of her forehead, and her hair is disheveled. Her glance is ferocious and her lips and lolling tongue are often shown dripping with blood. Her teeth protrude like fangs over her lower lip. In her arms she may carry one or more weapons and the severed head of a demon.

In her representation as Bhadrakali (auspicious Kali), her head is encompassed by the halo of flames and she wields the trident: These iconographic elements are also associated with Shiva, indicating that together they are the cosmic process. Another form of Kali is found in southern India, where she appears as a full-bodied woman. Although she still has fangs and rolling eyes, she is less gruesome in Chaudhuri, p123-146.

 The image of Kali at one of the most popular Kali temples in India, the Khalighat Temple in Kolkata is covered with ornate saris and jewelry, hiding her more terrifying features, but revealing her feet. From the medieval period ...