zukou　頭光

KEY WORD :　art history / sculptures

Lit. head light. A nimbus or halo that encircles the head of an image of a Buddhist deity. In the case of sculpture it is usually carved separately and attached to the back of the head. Classified according to shape, zukou fall into four types. 1　The round nimbus *enkei kouhai 円形光背, which can be further categorized as, *enkou 円光, *rinkou 輪光, and rinpoukou 輪宝光. Most nimbus derive from this basic circle shape. 2　The onion-shaped jewel nimbus *houjugata kouhai 宝珠形光背. 3　The radiating nimbus *houshagata kouhai 放射形光背. 4　The flame-shaped nimbus *kaen kouhai 火焔光背. Besides, zukou Buddhist images often are portrayed with rays of light radiating from the body called *shinkou 身光 or mandorla. See *kouhai 光背.

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