Material: Bronze. Cast. Gilded face. (The bottom and back can hold sacred objects or scriptures.)

Size: 23cm

Description:

King Gesar, the half-human, half-god hero of the Tibetan epic "The Legend of King Gesar," blends divinity with humanity, displaying majesty, bravery, and compassion. According to Tibetan Buddhism and epic legends, King Gesar is often depicted as follows:

Appearance:

Facial Appearance and Temperament: King Gesar is described as handsome with a piercing gaze, radiating the majesty and wisdom of a king. His facial expression often expresses compassion and resolve, symbolizing his resolve to subdue demons and his compassion for all living beings.

Clothing and Equipment: He typically wears ornate Tibetan armor engraved with Buddhist symbols or mythical beasts, symbolizing his sacred mission. He wears a helmet often adorned with feathers or gems representing victory and authority. His cape flutters in the wind, adding to his heroic aura.

Physique: King Gesar's stature is tall and imposing, reflecting his immense strength as a god of war. Yet, he possesses agility and agility, symbolizing his invincibility.

Divine Halo: In some thangkas and religious art, King Gesar is often depicted with a halo or auspicious clouds behind him, emphasizing his status as the son of a celestial being. His image blends the characteristics of Tibetan Buddhist guardian deities, embodying the unity of a god, a dragon, and Nian (a powerful deity in Tibetan primitive religion).

Symbolist Meaning: King Gesar's appearance is not only a symbol of heroism but also the embodiment of compassion and wisdom in Tibetan Buddhism. His appearance embodies his mission to defeat evil and protect all living beings, reflecting the Tibetan ideal of the hero.

Origins and Allusions of His Ritual Instruments: As a god of war and the son of a celestial being, King Gesar wields instruments imbued with divine power, closely tied to his mission to subdue demons and monsters. The following are common instruments of King Gesar, along with their origins and stories:

Sword (Tibetan: དགྲ་སྟ་རལ་གྲི, Dra-ta Ral-gri):

Appearance: King Gesar's sword is often described as incredibly sharp, its blade engraved with mystical Tibetan Buddhist mantras or images of guardian deities. It radiates light, symbolizing justice and power.

Origin: According to legend, this sword was gifted by the gods. When King Gesar was born into the human world, the gods prepared this sacred weapon for him to slay demons and monsters. The sword's forging process involves celestial metals and the blessing of dragons, endowing it with indestructible power.

Story: In the epic, King Gesar used this sword to slay his enemies, including the man-eating black demon Luzan of the north and the White Tent King of the Hor Kingdom. The sword is considered a symbol of King Gesar's victory over evil. Every swing releases divine power, dispelling demonic obstacles.

Bow and Arrow (Tibetan: མདའ་གཞུ, Mda'-gzhu):

Appearance: King Gesar's bow and arrow are made of celestial materials, with carvings of the Garuda or snow lion on the bow, and the arrows are often tied with auspicious colored strips of cloth.

Origin: The bow and arrow were a gift from Langmanggamo, the Celestial Goddess, to King Gesar. They symbolize long-range combat prowess and accurate judgment. It is said that the arrows were forged from precious treasures found in the Dragon Palace, and once shot, they could track the enemy without missing.

Origin: During the conquest of the Kingdom of Jiang (located in present-day Yunnan), King Gesar used a bow and arrow to kill the enemy leader, King Sadan, demonstrating his unparalleled archery skills. The bow and arrow also symbolize his wisdom, enabling him to discern the enemy's weaknesses from a distance.

Thousand-Mile Divine Horse (Tibetan: རྟ་མཆོག, Rta-mchog):

Appearance: This divine horse is snow-white or golden, possessing the ability to fly. Its saddle and reins are inlaid with gemstones, emitting a divine aura.

Origin: This divine horse was gifted by the Celestial Mother, Langmangamo. It is said to be a celestial spirit beast transformed from heaven. It possesses speed and strength surpassing that of ordinary horses, and was able to lead King Gesar through heaven, earth, and hell.

Fiction: In the horse race that determined the throne of the Ling Kingdom, 12-year-old Jueru (King Gesar's incarnation) rode this divine horse to defeat his uncle Zhaotong, winning the throne and the beautiful Zhumu as his wife. In the epic, this divine horse repeatedly helped King Gesar swiftly travel to battlefields, even capable of soaring across the Himalayas.

Dharma Protector Flag (Gesar Flag):

Appearance: The Gesar Flag features King Gesar as the central deity, surrounded by guardian deities such as the Garuda, celestial dragons, snow lions, and tigers. The flag is painted with auspicious symbols of Tibetan Buddhism.

Origin: This flag was bestowed by the Dharma Protector deities of Tibetan Buddhism to symbolize King Gesar's ruling authority and sacred mission. The flag's crafting process involves the blessing of high-ranking monks and the blessings of the celestial realms.

Fiction: In some regions, the Gesar Flag is used in blessing ceremonies, such as the "King Gesar Ritual," to pray for wealth, power, and peace. The epic records that when King Gesar raised this flag during battle, he summoned the power of the Dharma Protectors and intimidated his enemies.

Mythology: The Epic of King Gesar is the world's longest epic poem, running to 600,000 lines. It recounts the legendary life of King Gesar, from his birth to his return to the celestial realm. The following are several key mythological excerpts that illustrate his heroic deeds and divine qualities:

Birth of the Son of God:

Legend has it that in ancient times, Tibet was plagued by natural disasters and man-made disasters, with demons rampant and the people suffering unbearably. The gods decided to send their son, Tribha Gawa (Gesar), to earth to subdue demons and save lives. Gesar was born as Jueru in Ling State (present-day Asu Township, Derge County, Ganzi, Sichuan). His birth was accompanied by auspicious clouds and visions, signaling his divine status.

As a child, Jueru was repeatedly framed by his uncle, Zhaotong, but he escaped danger with the protection of the gods and his own wisdom. For example, he transformed himself into Hayagriva and infiltrated Zhaotong's dreams, tricking him into organizing a horse race to pave the way for his own victory.

Becoming King Through Horse Racing:

At the age of 12, Jueru participated in a horse race in Ling State, which determined the throne and the beautiful woman, Zhumu. Jueru, riding a thousand-mile divine steed gifted by the Celestial Mother, defeated all opponents and won the throne, earning him the title "Gesar Lobzadu, the Great Lion King of the World." He married Zhumu and began his legendary career of rule and conquest.

Subjugating Demons:

King Gesar conquered countless demons and enemy nations throughout his life. For example, he slew the man-eating black demon Luzan of the north, reclaimed his wife Zhumu, who had been abducted by the White Tent King of the Hor Kingdom, and conquered the kingdoms of Jiang, Men, and Tajiki. Each of his battles was imbued with mythical power, showcasing his divine power and wisdom.

In his campaigns, King Gesar often enlisted the aid of celestial beings, dragons, and guardian deities. For example, against the Nor of the Arabs, he summoned the power of guardian deities and, with his sword and bow, defeated his enemies.

Rescuing Relatives from Hell:

At the age of 80, King Gesar personally descended into hell to battle demons to rescue his wife Zhumu and his mother. This feat showcased his compassion and fearlessness. Ultimately, he successfully rescued his family, accomplished the great cause of unification, and ascended to heaven with his wife, achieving perfect merit.

Divinely Inspired Singers:

The singing style of the "King Gesar Epic" is deeply mythical. Many rappers (called "zhongken") claim to have acquired their singing abilities through dreams or divine revelation. For example, at age 11, artist Sangzhu dreamed of King Gesar rescuing him, and upon waking, he could fluently sing the epic poem. At age 13, Tsering Zhandu dreamed of offering a khata to King Gesar, subsequently acquiring the gift of singing. These stories reinforce King Gesar's divine status, demonstrating his transcendental influence and inspiration for future generations.

Cultural and Religious Significance

King Gesar's image and story are not only a heroic legend among Tibetans but also a crucial symbol of Tibetan Buddhism. He is regarded as the embodiment of compassion and wisdom, embodying the Buddhist ideal of triumphing over inner demons and external evil. His instruments, such as swords, bows and arrows, and divine horses, symbolize the union of righteousness and divine power, while the Dharma Protector Flag reflects the Tibetan Buddhist tradition of Dharma protection. The epic's singing, through divinely inspired artists, embodies the unique charm of Tibetan oral literature.

The legend of King Gesar has also influenced the Mongolian, Tu, and Bhutanese peoples, becoming an integral part of Central and South Asian culture. Bhutan's second king even considered listening to recitations of the epic as an important part of court instruction. His story has been hailed as the "Iliad of the East," on par with Homer and the Mahabharata, showcasing the profound heritage of Tibetan culture.

Sources:

"King Gesar" on Wikipedia

Books.com.tw Introduction to "King Gesar"

Epoch Times "Unsolved Mysteries" on the epic of King Gesar

Tara di Gesu Introduction to King Gesar