Descriptions of, and references to, yalis are ancient, but they became prominent in South Indian sculptures in the 16th century. Yalis were described to be more powerful than the lion, the tiger, or the elephant.

2022年4月21日 · Mythical composite creatures sculpted on pillars and pilasters across temples in South Asia, yalis, also known as vyalas, are most frequently depicted in late medieval and early modern temples in southern India.

1. Art and Sculpture: Yali’s unique blend of animal features and its association with protection and power has made it a popular subject in Indian art and sculpture. Artists have depicted Yali in intricate carvings, intricate stone sculptures, and vibrant paintings, showcasing its significance in Indian artistic traditions. 2.

2022年12月8日 · They are particularly common as an architectural element, statue and relief in temples, mandapas, and dynastic emblems where they break the monotony of empty spaces or separate depicted scenes and panels. They are also found in fables and epics, some versions on the side of good, some evil.

The various carved statues of Yali symbolize protection, intelligence, power, knowledge, speed, wisdom, loyalty, unifying force, predator’s nature, mortality, the courage of the warrior, and much more. The Yali is also believed to embody the qualities of both the lion and the elephant, which are two of the most revered animals in Hindu mythology.

2017年10月22日 · In this image you can see pillar carved on stone depicting the mythological Yali ridden by knight. You can see this sculpture in Jalakanteeswarar Temple. Yali is also known as Vyala or vidala in sanskrit.

There is another observation, the statues of Yali were having Leonine face in North, while in South, where Lions never existed, the face was sculpted with more of imaginative features and started to appear more like a mythical animal.

2023年3月12日 · Yali figures are believed to act as guardians and protectors, shielding a temple from threats. The tame form of the yali, typically shown flanking short stairways attached to temple plinths with waterfalls emerging from their open mouth, is known as the surul-yali.

2018年12月30日 · A Yali may be depicted as part lion, part elephant and part horse, and in similar shapes. Sometimes, it could be a leogryph (part lion and part griffin) with some bird-like features. Believed to be more powerful than the lion, the tiger or the elephant, depiction of Yali in south Indian sculpture has been around for several centuries and their ...