[INDOLOGY] Symbolic Forms of the Navagrahas

[Julia Hegewald]

Dear Jacob and Martin,

many thanks for your emails. I would also be very interested to learn of any additional readings you may find. 

I have been interested for some time in depictions of the Navagrahas in a Jaina ritual context.

With kind regards,

Julia.


Prof. Dr. Julia A. B. Hegewald
Professor of Oriental Art History
Head of Department
University of Bonn
Institute of Oriental and Asian Studies (IOA)
Department of Asian and Islamic Art History
Adenauerallee 10
53113 Bonn
Germany

Email: julia.hegewald at uni-bonn.de
www.aik.uni-bonn.de
Tel. 0049-228-73 7213
Fax. 0049-228-73 4042

> On 20. Mar 2026, at 08:07, 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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