Sinhala / Sri Lankan Swords?

ariel · 2nd December 2012, 08:30 AM

Very clever and very original!
So, in fact, your hypothesis postulates that the "quillons" on Kastane are a modification of the Buddhist Vajra, no? My hesitation is that Vajra conveyed a very different religious message from Makara, and Makara, as you said, is so ubiquitous in South Indian weapon decoration that its mere presence is not unexpected.
Are there any similar Sri Lankan weapons pre-dating the arrival of the Portugese?

I love your hypothesis and a finding of such an example would be a strong argument in favor of it.

2nd December 2012, 08:30 AM	#32
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Very clever and very original! So, in fact, your hypothesis postulates that the "quillons" on Kastane are a modification of the Buddhist Vajra, no? My hesitation is that Vajra conveyed a very different religious message from Makara, and Makara, as you said, is so ubiquitous in South Indian weapon decoration that its mere presence is not unexpected. Are there any similar Sri Lankan weapons pre-dating the arrival of the Portugese? I love your hypothesis and a finding of such an example would be a strong argument in favor of it. Last edited by ariel; 2nd December 2012 at 08:42 AM.