[INDOLOGY] Symbolic Forms of the Navagrahas

[Lubomír Ondračka]

On 20/03/2026 09:40, Matthew Kapstein via INDOLOGY wrote:
> Though not addressing Jacob's question about the symbolism, the classic 
> work of Willy Hartner on the iconography of the planets, with particular 
> reference to Rahu and Ketu, may be of interest:
> Hartner, Willy. “The Pseudoplanetary Nodes of the Moon’s Orbit in Hindu 
> and Islamic Iconographies.” /Ars Islamica/,, vol. V, pt. 2 (1938), pp. 
> 113-154.
> The volume is available in the internet archive, but as the site is 
> temporarily down, I cannot send the precise link.
> 
> Matthew
> 
> Matthew T. Kapstein
> Professor emeritus
> Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, PSL Research University, Paris
> 
> Associate
> The University of Chicago Divinity School
> 
> Member, American Academy of Arts and Sciences
> 
> https://ephe.academia.edu/MatthewKapstein <https://ephe.academia.edu/ 
> MatthewKapstein>
> 
> https://vajrabookshop.com/product/the-life-and-work-of-auleshi/ 
> <https://vajrabookshop.com/product/the-life-and-work-of-auleshi/>
> 
> https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501716218/tibetan- 
> manuscripts-and-early-printed-books-volume-i/#bookTabs=1 <https:// 
> www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501716218/tibetan-manuscripts-and- 
> early-printed-books-volume-i/#bookTabs=1>
> 
> https://www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501771255/tibetan- 
> manuscripts-and-early-printed-books-volume-ii/#bookTabs=1 <https:// 
> www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501771255/tibetan-manuscripts-and- 
> early-printed-books-volume-ii/#bookTabs=1>
> 
> https://brill.com/edcollbook/title/60949 <https://brill.com/edcollbook/ 
> title/60949>
> 
> Sent with Proton Mail <https://proton.me/mail/home> secure email.
> 
> On Friday, March 20th, 2026 at 8:08 AM, Jean Michel DELIRE via INDOLOGY 
> <indology at list.indology.info> wrote:
>> Very interesting indeed, Jacob and Martin.
>> If you find any reference (articles, books) on the subject, please 
>> keep me informed.
>>
>> Best regards,
>>
>> Jean Michel Delire (University of Brussels)
>>
>> Le mer. 18 mars 2026 à 23:28, jacob--- via INDOLOGY 
>> <indology at list.indology.info <mailto:indology at list.indology.info>> a 
>> écrit :
>>
>>     Dear friends and colleagues,
>>
>>     I am trying to understand the origin of the symbolic forms (ākāra)
>>     associated with the navagrahas, but have not had any luck so far. The
>>     standard forms, as far as I have been able to determine them, are as
>>     follows:
>>
>>     Sun = circle (vṛtta)
>>     Moon = crescent (ardhacandra)
>>     Mars = triangle (trikoṇa)
>>     Mercury = arrowhead (bāṇa)
>>     Jupiter = rectangle (dīrghacaturaśra)
>>     Venus = pentagon (pañcakoṇa)
>>     Saturn = bow (dhanus)
>>     Rāhu = winnowing basket (śūrpa)
>>     Ketu = flag (dhvaja)
>>
>>     I would be grateful for any pointers to primary sources or articles
>>     discussing these forms.
>>
>>     Best regards,
>>     Jacob
>>
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> 
> 
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