Sinhala / Sri Lankan Swords?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by SwordsAntiqueWeapons

Dear Ibrahiim,

Thank you for your post on the cross cultural aspects of the Makara.

Back to the large creature on the pommel of the Kastane. Please look closer to this link already provided and look at all the images again.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yali_(Hindu_mythology)

You have only chose to provide one image of the Yali in your latest, a known example with a trunk.
Read also the notes within the link, Quote; "Other common examples are: the lion-headed (simha-vyala)" Unquote....these are the numerous images I refer to.

Taking these lion-headed (simha-vyala) Yali or Leogryphs in mind, the ones with the exacting manes, teeth and general appearance of the Kastane pommel, there is much more visual evidence at hand that supports this creature, the Yali or Leogryph as being on the pommel, far more than the icons of the Makara as the imagery is so very different and nothing spews forth from the mouth of the Kastane pommel.
Furthermore, using the notion that is it known that the Makara spew forth the Yali of Leogrypgh as communicated about a well known museum icon supported by yourself Look close at one aspect of the latest knuckle bow you have just presented, there is a Makara spewing forth the knuckle bow...what is at the end of the knuckle bow, a near exact face as that on the pommel...the Yali or Leogryph.

Gavin

Salaams Do you mean that the Kastane hilt design is a Yali or a Leogryph in your view? That would fly in the face of the very detailed hypothesis and Buddhist facts as laid down above. Leogryphs don't look like Makara in that they do not have peacock tails..dont emit supporting deities thus are not even vaguelly related to Makara which are sea monsters. The Makara are sea monsters but I assume the Leogryph went about its business in the jungle...it having the face of a large cat...and the legs and tail of a lion.... and didnt throw up quantities of minor deities... The Makara did.

However to clear up the difference between Yali and Leogryph see http://cities.sulekha.com/worldwide/351329/review.htm and I will put pictures below.. to distinguish the main elements from Makara;..Both the Yali and Leogryph have cat like faces and tails of lion..(The Makara has a tail of Peacock). Neither cat like Deities casts quantities of Naga about the place as it is not their job in life...Yali and Leogryph are closely related and appear to be lion/tiger mixtures. Apologies to Buddhist followers for any inaccuracies and no flippancy intended.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.