The Indus Civilization c6.8

c6.8

Other figures of clay, which are obviously intended for male deities, wear the horns of a goat or a bull, and it would certainly seem that both these animals were sacred (Pl. J, 1). Doubtless many others appearing on the seals and amulets were also regarded as objects of worship, each one being perhaps associated with a particular god, whose emblem it was. For some reason which it is difficult to understand, figures of male deities in pottery are distinctly rare and are entirely nude, in contrast with the female figures, which invariably wear a little clothing; necklaces and bangles may be worn, but this is by no means always the case (Pl. I, 2). Another peculiarity of these male figurines is that they are shown with long hair gathered up in a curious loop behind secured by a fillet, and with a long beard coiled inwards at the end. Where the arms remain, in figurines of either sex, they hang straight down, and are never in a position to hold anything. It is impossible to say whether the male figurines represent the consort of the Mother Goddess, as it is not yet known whether they are all intended for the same god.