Floral Depictions in the Coiffure of Ancient Indian terracotta

Abstract

India, world famous for its culture has a diverse, rich and elongated motifs tradition. In fact, the traditions of motifs in our country can trace their origin back, almost to about 5000 years ago, to the ancient Indus Valley and Mohenjodaro civilizations, and they have been created and developed through the ages against a background that is richly woven with the myths and imaginary of sign and symbol. The development of a particular motif is undoubtedly being the result of religion, customs, natural surroundings and social beliefs of the particular area to which its creator belongs. Though always speculative, the meaning of the motifs used in decoration of coiffure, Head-dress and hair dress may change with cultural context but the symbolic meaning of various motifs remains some whatever they are applied.