Artwork Page for Heavenly King Virudhaka

Details / Information for Heavenly King Virudhaka

Heavenly King Virudhaka

增長天王

1368–1644

China, Ming dynasty

(1368–1644)
Medium
hanging scroll; color on silk
Measurements
Painting only: 110 x 75.2 cm (43 5/16 x 29 5/8 in.); Overall: 243 x 95 cm (95 11/16 x 37 3/8 in.)
Credit Line
Worcester R. Warner Collection 1918.544
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
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Did You Know?

The king's attribute is a sword carried in his right hand to protect the southern continent and the dharma, or Buddhist teaching.

Description

Virudhaka, Lokapala or Heavenly King of the South, is one of four guardians placed at the entrance of Buddhist temple halls or hung on all four sides of an altar for protection against evil spirits. Having a blue face, Virudhaka wears armor and holds a sword. Demons flank the deity: one with open mouth and three eyes whirls a banner and holds a snake; the other has a dragon slung around his neck.
A vertically oriented painting on silk depicts Heavenly King Virudhaka, a central figure with blue skin tone wearing ornate gold and green armor. He has a gold halo behind his head and holds a long dark sword. A medium-dark-toned figure to the left holds a pole with a waving blue banner, while another stands to the right. The scene occurs amidst intricate, swirling tan clouds that fill the background.

Heavenly King Virudhaka

1368–1644

China, Ming dynasty (1368–1644)

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