[Hanfu · 漢服]Chinese immortal Hanfu Based On Ming Dynasty Zhengtong ear (1439AD)Fahai Temple Murals
【Historical Artifacts Reference 】:
Ming Dynasty "鬼子母神" in the mural of Fahai Temple in Beijing,China.
【About the "鬼子母神" 】
鬼子母神,also known as Hārītī (Sanskrit),is both a revered goddess and demon, depending on the Buddhist tradition. She is one of the Twenty-Four Protective Deities of Mahayana Buddhism.
In her positive aspects, she is regarded for the protection of children, easy delivery and happy child rearing, while her negative aspects include the belief of her terror towards irresponsible parents and unruly children.
In both Chinese and Japanese Buddhism, she is venerated as a protector deity, but in many folk traditions is often recognized as a female demon of misery and unhappiness towards children and parents.
In Chinese Buddhism, Hārītī is also known as Hēlìdì (訶利帝) or Hēlìdìmǔ (訶梨帝母). In Chinese tradition, she is one of the Twenty-Four Protective Devas (二十四諸天 Èrshísì zhūtiān), a group of Dharmapalas who are venerated as protectors of Buddhists and the Dharma.Statues of this group (and Hārītī) are often enshrined within the Mahavira Hall in Chinese temples and monasteries.
head of a Nyūbu-no-ono (moutaineering ax) with heart-shaped holes and a flower-shaped head (c. 14th century CE; Muromachi period)
This ax, formerly kept in the Jinshō-ji temple of the Shiga prefecture was used for Buddhist ritualistic purposes to symbolize cutting the ties between monks and their worldly possessions
Currently in the collection of the Nara National Museum (Nara, Japan), accession no. 659-0