1981-1991 & 1995 KALACHAKRA

 

 

The central design in KALACHAKRA is an adaptation of The All Powerful Ten Symbol associated with the Kalachakra Initiation of Tibetan Buddhism. The Egyptian Eyes (utats) of Horus peer over the top of The Ten Symbol's lintel. The Ten Symbol in turn lies on a stylized floor plan of the 7th century Lingaraj temple at Bhubaneswar in Orissa, India. "Thus, the design elements of the KALACHAKRA are brought together to point to the necessity of keeping in mind the whole world, to remember we are, individually and as individual cultures, but parts of that whole, each a pearl in Indra's Net. 'Idam eva Shivam tv(u) idam eva Shiva’.

Haag's first needlepoint use of the word "OM" in Sanskrit was stitched in Devanagari script on a corner of the GREAT GRANDMOTHER'S LEGACY's canvas. Almost all of Haag's later works contain one or more OMs. Indeed, they often became the first stitches she put into a new canvas.

Hindus believe OM is the original sound from which the universe was created. Haag was intrigued by the word/sound and its meaning, about which she notes, "It is not unlike the philosophy embodied in the words from the Christian Bible: 'In the beginning was the word....' Scientists have also discovered that the sound of the universe -- out in space -- is OM.”

Single strand Persian wool, gold thread on 18 mesh canvas. Continental stitch in all four directions.

Dimensions: 24.75 in. x 13.38 in. / 62.87 cm. x 33.99 cm.

Approximately 107,254 stitches. 

 

This piece is sold as part of the Haag Needlepoint Collection