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Arts & Communication Visual decoding: Buddhist image houses

Table 1. Classifications, roles, and examples of decorative motifs
Classifications of decorative Decorative motifs Example and a role that manifests in various scenarios
motifs (based on sample delineated groups’ visual perception)
1. Conceptual Sarapendi (a) Supportive
Bherunda (b) Supportive/Subjective
Ethkanda Lihini (c) Supportive
Makara (d) Supportive/Subjective
Nari Devi (e) Objective/Supportive
Gaja Sinha (f) Objective/Supportive/Subjective
Nara Sinha (g) Objective/Supportive
Nari Latha (h) Objective/Supportive
2. Divine Sun (a) Supportive/Subjective
Moon (b) Supportive/Subjective
3. Fauna Human (Wamana/dwarf/dancer/female/male) (a) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Elephant (b) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Horse (c) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Lion (d) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Bull (e) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Cow (f) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Parrot (g) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Rabbit (h) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Fish (i) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Peacock (j) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
(k) Supportive/Subjective /Objective
4. Flora Binara (a) Supportive/Subjective/ Objective
Pineapple (b) Supportive/Subjective Objective
The Lotus (c) Supportive/Subjective Objective
Sapu (d) Supportive/Subjective Objective
Seeni (e) Supportive/Subjective/ Objective
Watekeiya (f) Supportive/ Objective
Kathuru/Kathira (g) Supportive/ Objective
Bery (Beraliya) (h) Supportive/Subjective/ Objective
Swastika (i) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Lily of The Valley (j) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Cobra Flame (k) Supportive/Objective
Salmal Vine (l) Supportive/Subjective/Objective
Knot Petal (m) Supportive/
Bitter (n) Supportive/Subjective
Esala (o) Supportive/Subjective
The leaves (Palapethi) (p) Supportive/ Objective
Ehela (q) Supportive/Subjective
Leaves (r) Supportive/Objective
Flowery tree (s) Supportive/Objective/Subjective
Kadupul (t) Supportive/Objective
Cobra Safran(Na)Tree/Flower-Tree with flower (u) Supportive/Objective/Subjective
5. Inanimate (Designs Stone Drop (a) Objective
created from inanimate Comb (b) Objective
geometrical features such Kundirakkan (c) Objective
as lines, circles, curves, Rope (d) Objective
triangles, dots, crosses, and Vines (e) Objective
swastikas) Flower and Leaf (f) Objective
Ripples (g) Objective
Water Waves (h) Objective
Hawadi (i) Objective
Pikkadaya (j) Objective
Muthu del (k) Objective
Flame Tongues (l) Objective

The inquiry into the division of a singular motif into perceptual mechanisms underlying such categorization.
objective and auxiliary roles prompts consideration of the This raises the fundamental question of how viewers

Volume 2 Issue 2 (2024) 6 doi: 10.36922/ac.2373