One of the oldest optical illusions in the world is found in the Airavatesvara temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu
The marvels of Indian art can be found in the relics of the temple, as well. Ancient Indian sculptures are a mix of artistic talent and mental excellence. Older empires who have ruled this country have left behind miraculous creations which not only amaze Indians but have left outsiders spellbound. The time during which these sculptures were built had limited scope of manpower and reference of ideas. One of the oldest optical illusions in the world is found in the Airavatesvara temple in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu.
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What is this illusion about?
In this image an elephant and a bull share the same head. This 900 years old sculpture is part of the Airavatesvara Hindu temple and is a shining example of Chola Architecture.
Bull and elephant hold immense religious significance in Hinduism. While elephant or the Airavat is revered as the vehicle of Indra, the Hindu god of Heaven, bull or nandi is worshiped as the vehicle of Lord Shiva, one among the trinity Hindu Gods.
In the image, which is said to belong to the 12th century Dravidian architecture, the bull and the elephant are merged together.
The horns of the bull serve as the tusk of the elephant; the ear of the bull is the mouth of the elephant when seen from different angles. The placement of the eyes is such that it doesn’t matter which animal is on which side of the image, the eyes are focused forward. The legs of both the creatures are distinct from each other.
However, people interpret it differently. While some people see the bull first, many others see the elephant first.
What does it mean if you see the bull first?
The bull, the vehicle of Lord Shiva, is always associated with qualities like honesty, faithfulness, stubbornness, fierceness, strength and positivity.
It is believed that people with all these qualities tend to catch the bull first. The bull is on the left side of the sculpture.
What does it mean if you see the elephant first?
In Hinduism an elephant is associated with calmness, kindness, respect, loyalty and intelligence. Apart from being the carrier of Lord Indra, the elephant is also seen as an element of Goddess Lakshmi, the God of wealth.
People who see the elephant first are considered to be kind, thoughtful and considerate.
Bottom line
Though what our ancestors intended while carving this sculpture is still unknown, conceiving the idea of carving a marvel of this repute 900 years ago is extraordinary.
Bull and elephant are revered in Hindu religion. There are several other animals like cows, monkeys, snakes, fish and others which hold equal significance in the religion. Various sculptures in temples and other historical places have magnificent arts on these animals signifying how their importance was high back then also and how it has remained alive until now through the artistic skills of our ancestors.