Yoni
Place of origin |
The yoni, which represents the vulva, is the female counterpart to the lingam. The lingam represents the phallus and is a symbol of the Hindu god Shiva. The lingam is usually stood upon the yoni, thus conveying union between the two genders and they are used in Hindu worship. Sometimes a yoni may have grooves carved into its surface to channel away water that may be poured over the lingam.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Rock crystal, cut and polished using abrasives, most probably fashioned in part on a bow-driven lathe. |
Brief description | A yoni, for religious use, rock crystal, northern India |
Physical description | A yoni, fashioned and polished in colourless rock crystal. Generally cylindrical with a v-shaped groove cut around the middle, resembling a pulley, with a central protrusion at one end together with a second, lateral protrusion. |
Dimensions |
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Object history | This object was formerly in the India Museum in London and it was transferred to the South Kensington Museum (later renamed The Victoria & Albert Museum) in 1879. |
Summary | The yoni, which represents the vulva, is the female counterpart to the lingam. The lingam represents the phallus and is a symbol of the Hindu god Shiva. The lingam is usually stood upon the yoni, thus conveying union between the two genders and they are used in Hindu worship. Sometimes a yoni may have grooves carved into its surface to channel away water that may be poured over the lingam. |
Bibliographic references |
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Collection | |
Accession number | 772(IS) |
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Record created | June 25, 2009 |
Record URL |
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