Indian Art: A History of Indian Art from the Earliest Times up to the Third Century A.D. c12.s2.t1.25

c12.s2.t1.25

The presence of the *Vṛiṣabha-machchha* [Fig. 67 a], *Śiṃśumāra-śiraḥ* [Fig. 67 b], lotus rizome issuing from the mouth of a pot bellied Yakṣa [Fig. 67 c] or from his navel [Fig. 67 d] or disposed round a female figure [Fig. 67 e] or a series of full-blown lotuses—these represent marine motifs and water symbology which were certainly associated with the religious cults and formed an essential part of the assemblage of Stūpa symbolism. Some of these motifs are found depicted on ancient ring-stones; e. g. band of moving elephants [Fig. 67 f] or fabulous winged lions [Fig 67 g].