Browse Items (51 total)

Jiaobei blocks, also known as moon blocks or fortune blocks are divination tools, typically made out of wood or bamboo originating in China. Each block is round on one side and flat on the other resembling a crescent shape. The blocks are used in…

A kara is a steel or iron bracelet that is worn by most initiated Sikhs. The kara was instituted by the tenth Sikh guru, Gobind Singh. It is considered one of the five kakars or one of the five external links of faith that identify Sikhs to their…

Karatalas or hand cymbals are a pair of crash cymbals that produce a high pitched percussion sound. Karatalas, in religious contexts, accompany Hindus when performing devotional music. Hare Krishna Hindus commonly use Karatalas because of Krishna's…

A Buddhist prayer wheel, most prevalent in the Tibetan Buddhism, is a mechanical device that is used as an equivalent to a recitation of a mantra. They can be made out of metal, wood, leather, stone or coarse cotton. Each turn of the wheel by hand…

The Bodhi Tree also is known as Bo or "peepal" tree was large, the sacred fig tree that was located in Bodh Gaya. It is known for being the tree that Siddhartha Gautama, also known as the Buddha sat under to attain enlightenment. The name "Bodhi…

Madonna at Prayer or The Virgin at Prayer is a name of a work of art that depicts the Virgin Mary praying. Madonna means "My Lady" in Italian, which connects to the Roman Catholic tradition of creating various "Madonna" artworks. Artworks of Madonna…

This statue is an adaptation of Moses, a sculpture created by the Italian High Renaissance artist, Michelangelo. The original statue was commissioned in 1505 by Pople Julius II for his tomb and is currently located in San Pietro in Vincoli, Rome.…

These coins are estimated to be from Mecca around the 7th century. When Islam emerged around 600 CE, Mecca relied on their neighboring regions for coinage. When Muslim conquests in the 7th century expanded, currency circulation began to occur in the…

Nandi is the name of the gate-guardian deity, Kailasa. Nandi is the abode of Lord Shiva and received his wisdom and divine knowledge from the goddess Parvati. Nandi then went on to be the chief guru of eight disciples. Nandi is usually depicted as a…

A Pakistani Islamic Prayer Hat or Topi is a short, rounded skullcap that is often worn by Muslim men for prayer services. Topis are worn specifically by men because they believe that their Prophet, Muhammad (PBUH) used one to keep his head covered…