Funeral Hanging (Kosa Sin)

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This ceremonial funerary hanging (kosa sin) from Laos would have been displayed exclusively on ritual occasions. It depicts many different anthropomorphic and mythical animals—the frogs and butterflies, for example, represent ancestors. The two largest central creatures, one in yellow and the other upside down in white, are long-nosed lions that symbolize protection against evil spirits. Each one carries a spirit rider on its back; the lions’ hollow bodies enclose successively smaller versions of the same motif.

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