Women’s History Month: The Powerful and Divine Women In Our Art

Every March in the United States, we celebrate Women’s History Month, a time to reflect on the important contributions and role of women in shaping our society and everyday lives.

Throughout the religious history of the Himalayas and South Asia, women have been revered for their creative and spiritual powers. In Hinduism, the Sanskrit term shakti refers to the all-pervading feminine energy that creates life and animates all existence. Each Hindu goddess represents a personification of shakti in its many manifestations, from loving mother to raging warrior. In Himalayan Buddhism, the feminine also represents wisdom, one of the two aspects required for enlightenment.

Through March and beyond, we invite you to reflect on the sculptures and paintings in our galleries that depict powerful female figures from the Himalayas, and Hindu and Buddhist cultures.

Check out a selection below and keep an eye out for them next time you visit the Museum.


On Display in Gateway to Himalayan Art

Green Tara Tibet; 13th century Brass with inlays of silver Rubin Museum of Art C2005.16.30 (HAR 65453)
Green Tara Tibet; 13th century; brass with inlays of silver; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.30 (HAR 65453)

One of the most popular deities in the Himalayas, Green Tara sits in the pose of royal ease with her right hand extended in the gesture of supreme generosity. She is a protector and a provider and has her right leg extended so she can get up at any time and help her followers.


Siddha Lakshmi Nepal; 17th century Gilt copper alloy Rubin Museum of Art C2004.34.4 (HAR 65402)
Siddha Lakshmi Nepal; 17th century; gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Art; C2004.34.4 (HAR 65402)

In this sculpture, Shiva sits supporting the multi-armed and multi-headed Siddha Lakshmi. In a reversal of traditional gender roles, Siddha Lakshmi acts as a guru while Shiva, in turn, is her disciple and attempts to understand her ultimate wisdom.


Vajradhara Tibet; 14th century Gilt copper alloy Rubin Museum of Art C2005.16.19 (HAR 65442)
Vajradhara Tibet; 14th century; gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.19 (HAR 65442)

This sculpture depicts Vajradhara in union with his consort Bhagvani; the couple represents the two aspects of enlightenment: compassion (Vajradhara) and wisdom (Bhagvani). Bhagvani also represents Vajradhara’s “shakti” or power; Vajradhara would not be able to achieve enlightenment without her.


Vajrayogini Tibet; 18th century Brass and gilt copper alloy Rubin Museum of Art C2005.16.47 (HAR 65470)
Vajrayogini Tibet; 18th century; brass and gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.47 (HAR 65470)

Considered by many to be the ultimate tantric female buddha, Vajrayogini stands in an active warrior pose with large breasts and wide hips. She tramples two figures under her feet as a visual metaphor for overcoming the ego.


Shri Devi (protector), Dorje Rabtenma Tibet; 15th century Black Stone and pigment Rubin Museum of Art C2006.19.1 (HAR 65601)
Shri Devi (protector); Dorje Rabtenma, Tibet; 15th century; black stone and pigment; Rubin Museum of Art; C2006.19.1 (HAR 65601)

This sculpture depicts the Indian goddess Shri Devi, whose violent appearance is really a manifestation of her boundless compassion. The arsenal of magical weapons hanging from her mule’s harness include a bag of diseases, and a ball made up of five colored threads, the latter used to bind enemies of the faith.


Architectural detail Guhyakali, Goddess, Hindu Nepal; 17th century Wood Rubin Museum of Art Gift of Ralph Redford C2008.32 (HAR 57015) Architectural detail Guhyakali, Goddess, Hindu Nepal; 17th century Wood Rubin Museum of Art Gift of Ralph Redford C2008.32 (HAR 57015)
Architectural detail, Guhyakali, Goddess, Hindu; Nepal; 17th century; wood; Rubin Museum of Art; Gift of Ralph Redford; C2008.32 (HAR 57015)

Tantric goddess Guhyakali is a favorite in Nepal and is known as one of the Eight Mother Goddesses and the Nine Durgas. At the base of the strut, a lotus supports her and her lion mount. Behind her are flowering trees, creating a canopy of blossoms.


Tara Central Tibet; 18th century Pigments on cloth Rubin Museum of Art Gift of Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation F1997.17.7 (HAR 323)
Tara Central Tibet; 18th century; pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Art; Gift of Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation; F1997.17.7 (HAR 323)

On Display in Masterworks of Himalayan Art

Green Tara Central Tibet; 14th century Gilt copper alloy Rubin Museum of Art C2003.11.1 (HAR 65209)
Green Tara; Central Tibet; 14th century; gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Art; C2003.11.1 (HAR 65209)

This elegant bronze of Green Tara showcases early Tibetan aesthetics and metal sculpture. Tara is the most prominent Female Buddha of Northern Buddhism and maintains important place on temple and home shrines.


Goddess Marichi Mongolia; late 17th century or early 18th century Gilt copper alloy Rubin Museum of Art C2005.16.26 (HAR 65449)
Goddess Marichi; Mongolia; late 17th century or early 18th century; gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.26 (HAR 65449)

The goddess Marichi (known as Goddess of the Dawn) is rooted in the metaphor of light overcoming darkness, representing the fruitfulness of meditation and spiritual practice. This form was one of two attendants accompanying a sculpture of the goddess Tara.


Green Tara Attributed to Choying Dorje (1604-1674) or his workshop Tibet; 17th century Brass with pigments Rubin Museum of Art C2005.16.3a-b (HAR 65425)
Green Tara; Attributed to Choying Dorje (1604-1674) or his workshop; Tibet; 17th century; brass with pigments Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.3a-b (HAR 65425)

This sculpture of Tara is attributed to the Tenth Karmapa, Choying Dorje (1604-1674), a unique and eccentric figure within the history of Tibetan art. Notable features include a pair of birds framed in leaves above Tara’s head.


Daughter of the Himalayas Parvati (Uma) Kashmir, India; 10th century Copper alloy with inlays of silver Rubin Museum of Art C2005.16.5 (HAR 65427)
Daughter of the Himalayas, Parvati (Uma); Kashmir, India; 10th century; copper alloy with inlays of silver; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.5 (HAR 65427)

This small metal sculpture comes from the Himalayan region of Kashmir. It depicts Parvati, the daughter of the Himalayan mountains and the wife of the Hindu god Shiva.


Shiva and Parvati Nepal; 13th century; metal; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.12 (HAR 65434)
Shiva and Parvati Nepal; 13th century; metal; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.12 (HAR 65434)

In Hinduism, Parvati is the goddess of fertility, love, but also divine strength and power. She is often paired together with Shiva to represent the universal principles of male and female.


Snake Goddess Manasa Northeastern India; ca 12th century Phyllite Rubin Museum of Art C2005.36.2 (HAR 65569)
Snake Goddess Manasa; Northeastern India; ca 12th century; phyllite; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.36.2 (HAR 65569)

This stone stele depicts the Indian folk goddess Manasa, who is worshiped for her ability to prevent and cure snakebites. She promotes fertility and agricultural prosperity and defends against infectious diseases.


Vajravarahi Bhutan; 18th century Pigments on cloth and silk brocade Rubin Museum of Art C2009.18 (HAR 65858) Exhibitions: * RMA, "Masterworks: Jewels of the Collection" Rotation 2016
Vajravarahi Bhutan; 18th century; pigments on cloth and silk brocade; Rubin Museum of Art; C2009.18 (HAR 65858)

This painting depicts Tantric deity Vajravarahi, standing in her iconic dancing posture, surrounded by seven yoginis of different colors.


Glorious Goddess, the Queen Who Repels Armies Shri Devi, Magzor Gyalmo Mongolia; 18th century Textile Rubin Museum of Art Gift of Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation F1996.19.1 (HAR 472)
Glorious Goddess, the Queen Who Repels Armies Shri Devi, Magzor Gyalmo; Mongolia; 18th century; textile; Rubin Museum of Art; Gift of Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation; F1996.19.1 (HAR 472)

Magzor Gyalmo, Queen Who Repels Armies, is understood to be female protector deity. Fierce in appearance she holds aloft a stick in the right hand and a skullcup to the heart in the left while riding a mule over a pool of blood.


On Display in the Tibetan Buddhist Shrine Room

Tara Protecting from the Eight Dangers Eastern Tibet; 18th century Pigments on cloth Rubin Museum of Art Gift of Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation F1997.15.1 (HAR 237)
Tara Protecting from the Eight Dangers; Eastern Tibet; 18th century; pigments on cloth; Rubin Museum of Art; Gift of Shelley & Donald Rubin Foundation; F1997.15.1 (HAR 237)

In this painting, Tara is protecting humans from the Eight Fears. Each vignette depicts Tara intervening and averting tragedies, such as elephant stampedes and drowning.


Tara Tibet; 19th century Pigments on cloth, silk brocade Rubin Museum of Art C2002.48.1 (HAR 65257)
Tara Tibet; 19th century; pigments on cloth, silk brocade; Rubin Museum of Art; C2002.48.1 (HAR 65257)

White Tara Tibet; 15th century Brass Rubin Museum of Art C2005.16.34 (HAR 65457)
White Tara; Tibet; 15th century; brass; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.34 (HAR 65457)


The Red Yogini Vajrayogini Tibet; 17th century; metalwork; Rubin Museum of Art; C2002.47.2 (HAR 65177)
The Red Yogini Vajrayogini Tibet; 17th century; metalwork; Rubin Museum of Art; C2002.47.2 (HAR 65177)

This 17th-century sculpture of Vajrayogini presents her as a completely enlightened Buddha in female form. Considered the consort of the tantric deity Chakrasamvara, Vajrayogini developed her own following during the later medieval period in India and then substantially in Himalayas. Though this particular form is associated with the Sakya school, she can be found across all Buddhist schools of Himalayan Buddhism.


On Display in Nepalese Seasons: Rain and Ritual

Kaumari Nepal; 17th or 18th century; gilt copper alloy with semiprecious stone inlays; Rubin Museum of Art; C2006.44.1 (HAR 65693)
Kaumari Nepal; 17th or 18th century; gilt copper alloy with semiprecious stone inlays; Rubin Museum of Art; C2006.44.1 (HAR 65693)

Goddess Shri or Lakshmi Nepal; 18th century; copper with pigments; Rubin Museum of Art; Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2006.66.631 (HAR 700023)
Goddess Shri or Lakshmi Nepal; 18th century; copper with pigments; Rubin Museum of Art; Gift of Shelley and Donald Rubin; C2006.66.631 (HAR 700023)

C2007.23.1
Vasudhara Nepal; 13th century; metal; Rubin Museum of Art; C2007.23.1 (HAR 65791)

Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon (Durga Mahisasuramardini); Nepal; 12th or 13th century; gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.11 (HAR 65433)
Durga Killing the Buffalo Demon (Durga Mahisasuramardini); Nepal; 12th or 13th century; gilt copper alloy; Rubin Museum of Art; C2005.16.11 (HAR 65433)

This sculpture shows the divine feminine Durga slaying the buffalo demon Mahisha. According to legend, Mahisha terrorized the world because he thought he was superior to all other beings. In order to bring him to justice, the gods combined their power to form Durga, who put a stop to his egotistical rampage. Though we may not have the same divine power as Durga, when we combine our efforts, we can create collective change.


Learn more about female figures in Himalayan art at an upcoming Female Empowerment Tour, every Wednesday evening in March.


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