Nagas (cobras) and naginis (female cobras) as guardians

Female cobra-guardian

Cobras in art

Stone--Bas-reliefs--Eruvava--Anuradhapura--Sri Lanka

This nagini (female cobra) relief with a single cobra hood on the side of her head lies near an old sluice at Eruvava in the Anuradhapura district, Sri Lanka. A few pieces of the central male cobra lie scattered in the area and the second female companion is missing. The sculpture is in a very wasted condition, but it is clear that she flanked the naga (cobra) on his left. The sculpture may be dated to the middle Anuradhapura period (ca. 6th-7th century A.D.) according to archaeologists.

Sirima Kiribamune

Eruvava, Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka

ca. 6th-7th century A.D.

Period of study: 1986-1987

Version: 01/12/2012

Co-Author: Seneviratna, Harsha

Technical Officer: Wijesinghe, Lalith

Technical Assistant: Jayasundare, Subhashini

Photographer: Madanayake, I.S.

International Center for Ethnic Studies, Kandy, Sri Lanka

Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation

American Institute for Sri Lankan Studies, Colombo

All rights reserved by International Center for Ethnic Studies, Sri Lanka.

Forms part of Photographic documentation of Women as depicted in early Sri Lankan sculpture and painting / Slide in present collection

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PDWESLSP.S.29

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