The Significance of Brass Figurines in Indian Culture and Vastu

Introduction

In many religions including Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, the worship of idols is widely accepted as a form of exhibiting one’s faith. It is widely believed that these idols are a form of God. In India, a dedicated room or area is reserved exclusively to house different kinds of idols that are made from all kinds of materials including clay, Plaster of Paris and even precious metals – gold and silver. Brass, an alloy of copper and zinc, is widely used to make deities’ figurines.

 

The Rich History and Craftsmanship of Brass Figurines

Shaping brass into figurines of gods and goddesses is an art form that has been continuing for centuries. Making these figurines is also a time-consuming process. Brass as a material to work with is easily moldable and an artisan can easily etch the facial features and other details to create a life-like idol. After moulding and crafting it, brass is polished to bring out its golden colour and lustrous finish. Brass figurines are available in all sizes – be it the miniature version we want to carry in our backpacks to work or the massive idols that are placed in temples. These figurines are not merely decorative items but carry deep cultural and spiritual significance.

 

Brass Figurines and Their Symbolic Meanings

Two types of figurines are made from brass – those resembling gods and goddesses from various religions and decorative figurines. As it is widely accepted that figurines resembling deities are a form of the deities themselves, they carry a deeply symbolic meaning for people. For those who follow Hinduism, all gods and goddesses are worshipped for a specific reason and are attributed to a certain aspect of life. Apart from these, brass is also crafted into animals or nature which also carries its significance in Indian culture. Let us further explore the different kinds of brass figurines:

 

1. Ganesha Figurines – Known as the remover of obstacles, Ganesha is not only incredibly popular but also can be easily recognized by his elephant head. Placing a Ganesha brass figurine at the entrance of homes or offices is a common practice to invite prosperity and remove hindrances.

2. Lakshmi – The goddess Lakshmi is also known as the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is often pictured as sitting on a lotus flower that has been fashioned into a throne, holding lotuses in both her hands. Lakshmi figurines are placed in one’s living room or the puja room to bring wealth and prosperity into people’s houses.

3. Brass Deer Showpiece – While a deer brass figurine does not have any religious symbolism, in vastu it is known to represent dignity, strength and grace. Bringing home a brass deer figurine not only transforms your space to make it more aesthetic looking but also brings with it harmony, peace and strength.

4. Brass Tortoise Figurine – Tortoises in Indian mythology have symbolised stability and calm. In vastu, a brass tortoise figurine that is brought home has to face inwards to bring in wealth and financial well-being to the household as well as stabilise the energy in times of uncertainty.

5. Brass Reindeer Idol – Similar to the brass deer, a reindeer symbolises strength and stability during uncertain times. You can pick up brass reindeer figurines in different poses – be it a single-standing reindeer or a pair of reindeer sitting together.

 

Brass Figurines in Vastu Shastra

An ancient Indian science, ‘Vastu Shastra’, talks about the principles of design, layout and architecture in one’s home or office. Vastu emphasizes the importance of energy flow within a space wherein designing a space in your home or office and placing objects in certain ways or facing certain directions can affect the energy and balance of a space. But what role do brass figurines play in Vastu Shastra? Let’s find out:

• Channelling Positive Energy – With its gold hue and reflective nature, brass figurines are believed to capture good energy in vastu. Ganesha idols are often kept at entrances of homes and offices to bring in positive energy and prosperity.
• Balancing the Five Elements – The main five elements that make up our world and influence our lives are earth or the ground, water, fire, air and space. All these elements play a different role when we determine our living spaces and where we work. In vastu, when all five elements are taken into consideration to be balanced, harmony is created in the home and office environment. Placing a brass figurine in your home acts as a channel for positive energy. 
• Placing Brass Figurines in the Right Places – Just as designing and properly laying out furniture is an important part of vastu, determining the right space and direction for any brass figurines is equally important. If you wish to bring a brass tortoise figurine into your home, according to vastu, the head of the tortoise needs to face inwards to channel wealth and growth.

 

Enhancing Your Home’s Aesthetic With Brass Figurines

Besides the artistic and symbolic significance of brass figurines, they are also great articles for home decoration. Brass figurines can blend easily with any kind of design, aesthetic and furnishing. Due to its malleability, brass figurines need not necessarily be moulded only into the forms of gods and goddesses. Many decorative pieces depicting animals, abstract designs or nature are created. Just as intricate detailing to create life-like features of deities is done, similarly these other decorative pieces also feature the exquisite craftsmanship of artisans. 

Be it blending into different decor themes, adding a statement piece that can initiate conversations or aiming to tap into the ancient science of vastu and channel positive energy into your space, brass figurines are extremely versatile and a must-have addition to all interior design enthusiasts.

 

Taking Care of Your Brass Figurines

Like all metals, brass too undergoes some form of wear and tear. The golden shine characteristic of the material gets tarnished over time when exposed to air and moisture. While this tarnished look is preferred by some people, for those who prefer the reflective shine, here are a few tips to maintain your figurines’ brilliance:

• Cleaning: Make sure to dust your idols with a soft/microfibre cloth to remove excess dust. Making a paste of lemon juice and baking soda and gently scrubbing the figurine with this easily removes the tarnishing. Wash it thoroughly with water and dry it in a cool, dry location that does not get any direct sunlight.
• Polishing: Applying a brass polish adds a layer of protection to your brass figurines thus ensuring that their shine is maintained for longer. 

 

To Wrap It Up

Creating brass figurines is an art. Moulding the form, creating intricate details for facial expressions and working with hot metals takes time, energy and a lot of effort. At ncuihaat.online, we focus on selecting handcrafted products that exude an elegance no machine-made product can match. For every piece you shop at ncuihaat.online, you are supporting the legacy of art forms and investing in the artisans who continue to dedicate their efforts to making each piece with care and dedication. 

Our collection of brass figurines offers both – an enhanced aesthetic and spiritual significance. Bring both beauty and positive energy into your home – Shop now on ncuihaat.online! 

 

Also Read: Minimalist Home Decor