Nandi

Title: Nandi

Type: Sculpture

Associated Religious Tradition: Hinduism

Origins

• Geography: India, Tamil Nadu state
• Date: 12th century
• Period: Chola period (ca. 850–1280)

Physical Properties

• Material: Bronze
• Dimensions: H × W × D: 56 × 38.5 × 65.5 cm (22 1/16 × 15 3/16 × 25 13/16 in)

Crediting Information

• Collection: Freer Gallery of Art Collection
• Credit Line: Purchase—Charles Lang Freer Endowment
• Accession Number: F1985.30

For the distinct Hindu community that focuses on ShivaClose TooltipShiva[SHI-vuh]one of the most important and widely revered Hindu deities. as the Supreme Being, the divine bull Nandi is a central figure, who serves as Shiva’s constant companion, vahanaClose Tooltipvahana[VAA-hu-nuh]an animal that serves as a mount or vehicle for a Hindu deity and that is honored as the deity’s most loyal devotee. (vehicle), and most exemplary devotee. Shiva and his wife ParvatiClose TooltipParvati[PAR-vuh-tee]a Hindu goddess; wife of Shiva and mother of Ganesha./Uma are sometimes depicted riding on Nandi’s back. In SanskritClose TooltipSanskrit[san-SKRIT]the Indian language in which the earliest Hindu hymns, as well as many later scriptures, were composed. A cosmopolitan language used across South and Southeast Asia for centuries, it is the language of numerous Buddhist texts. Buddhist texts known or believed to have been translated from Sanskrit are considered authoritative., a classical language of South Asia, the name Nandi means “the bringer of joy and happiness”; so, together, Shiva and Nandi bring joy to their followers.

A standard feature of temples dedicated to Shiva is a sculpture of Nandi facing the shrine that contains the main deity, positioned such that Nandi announces Shiva’s presence and points devotees to him. When one sees Nandi, Shiva is close at hand.

Certain qualities are associated with the god and his vahana. In the ancient culture of South Asia, bulls were symbols of strength and virility—they pulled the plows, which yielded the earth’s abundance and nourished early agricultural societies. Strength, virility, and abundance were all characteristics of the god Shiva as well. Nandi’s qualities, therefore, serve to reinforce the qualities and blessings associated with his god.

Nandi appears at once naturalistic and idealized. Like all Indian deities, he rests upon a lotus blossom, an emblem of divine purity. As the perfectly docile bull, he sits with his haunches to one side and legs tucked under. A distinctive hump rises from his back, which sports an ornamental saddle with decorative straps. A garland of flowers elegantly adorns his neck, which hangs with a fold of skin. Nandi’s small horns indicate his youth.

Although sculptures of Nandi made of stone are an essential component of temples dedicated to ShivaClose TooltipShiva[SHI-vuh]one of the most important and widely revered Hindu deities., it is rare to find Nandi in bronze. Cast in the twelfth century, this bronze figure of Nandi was intended to be carried through the streets in resplendent processions that made worship of temple images available to all. Holes in the base, as well as lugs and loops, would have been fitted with poles and secured with thick ropes to mount the deity. His form—already decorated with jewelry from horn covers to anklets—was further adorned with real ornaments when placed in worship.

Today, temples of ShivaClose TooltipShiva[SHI-vuh]one of the most important and widely revered Hindu deities. still display a sculpture of Nandi pointing his gaze toward the primary god. Nandi continues to represent virility and fertility—some devotees touch Nandi for a fertility blessing. Priests may cover a temple sculpture of Nandi with a garland of fresh flowers and leave food offerings.

The Cham Hindus of Vietnam believe that at death, Nandi carries their soul from Vietnam to a sacred site in India. The Cham are an ethnic group in Vietnam, and while today most are Muslim, a minority of Cham retain the community’s historical devotion to Shiva.

A popular misconception suggests that Hindus worship cows, or that the sanctity of cows is a central belief in Hindu traditions. Many Hindus abstain from eating beef and take care to protect the lives of bulls and cows, and because of their association with agriculture, fertility, and virility, long-distance truck drivers often sport an image of a cow or bull on the front of their vehicle. However, this belief or practice does not have strong historical roots or universal adherence among all Hindus, and it is not correct to say that Hindus worship cows.

1. Describe what you see in the sculpture of Nandi. Describe the relative size and scale of the figure. What are some of its possible uses?
2. What are some naturalistic characteristics of Nandi? What characteristics look idealized?
3. Describe Nandi’s ornaments. What might the ornaments indicate about his status?

1. Who is Nandi, and why is he considered an important figure in Hindu traditions?
2. Why do some Hindu deities have vehicles (animals or objects used for transportation)? What is the significance of Nandi as a vehicle?
3. What are portable gods, and why do they come to various castes?
4. What is the significance of bulls and cows in the Hindu traditions?

Dehejia, Vidya. Indian Art. London: Phaidon, 1997.

Flood, Gavin. An Introduction to Hinduism. New York: Cambridge University Press, 1996.

Ideals of Beauty: Asian and American Art in the Freer and Sackler Galleries. London: Thames and Hudson World of Art, 2010.

Lippe, Aschwin. The Freer Indian Sculptures. Oriental Studies, no. 8. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution, 1970.

Menon, Arathi. “Rajarajesvara Temple, Tanjavur.” Smarthistory. https://smarthistory.org/temple-tanjavur/