Shells as Religions and Spiritual Objects in Hinduism and Buddhism

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Sea shells evolved more than 500 million years ago and have amazed humans since the beginning of our time.

Calcium, the basic building material, is a major component of seawater, and turning it into housing, shells were providing obvious protection. For purposes of self-defense, shellfish eventually evolved beyond mere shelter to develop an amazing spectrum of forms all of which serve to make breaking and entering more difficult for predators. According to a 2003 paper in Science, the exploitation of calcium carbonate by aquatic shelled mollusks  may have altered the earth’s atmosphere, helping to create the relatively mild conditions in which humans eventually evolved.Since ancient times, humans have been fascinated by seashells and  have  used  them as spiritual objects, currency, tools and ornaments, and of course the meat within the shells for food. Shells with their iridescent beauty were the first material used for adornment and occasional natural pearls became most precious treasures. Beginning in the 17th century, along with spices and other merchandise, ships of the Dutch East India Company brought back spectacularly beautiful shells from what is now Indonesia, Philippines, India, and other surrounding nations. The  European collectors’ passion for acquiring shells  was evident in creation of Kunst Kameras across Europe where shells  with other exotic objects were displayed in estates of the wealthy in  royal houses and private museums.

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In this article the focus of the shell exploration will be shank or white conch. Conch is a predatory animal from a sea snail species called Turbinella pyrum. This species is found living in the Indian Ocean and surrounding seas. The shell is porcelaneous, with the surface hard, shiny, and somewhat translucent. The shape of the shell body is oblong or oblong with a protuberance in the middle, which tapers at each end. The upper portion (the siphonal canal) is corkscrew-shaped, while the lower end (the spire) is twisted and tapering. Like all snail shells, the interior is hollow with very shiny surface. In Hindu and Buddhist cultures it is believed when the shank is blown its cosmic vibrations can cure diseases. In sanskrit shankh means, “conch holding the sacred water” Earliest written documents can be traced to Vedas and other Holy Hindu texts like Bagvad Gita. The sacred conch shell is an integral part of Hindu symbolic and religious tradition, and God Vishnu, the Creator is always portrayed  holding conch in his right hand. Even now, when a conch shell is blown it is said to purify the environment from all evil effects. Aside from the mythology aspects, the conch shell’s significance can also be corroborated by science. If one tries holding a shankh near their ear, they can hear the sound of a gently humming ocean. This is actually the natural vibration of cosmic energy of the Earth which gets magnified on entering the conch shell. According to many believers, the blowing of conch shell enhances the positive psychological vibrations such as courage, hope, optimism, and willpower.what is shankh

As already stated, conch shell or shankh has been important as a religious object since ancient times. Hindus have used left-turning conch shells as articles of prayer and holders of holy water. A right-turning white conch, however, is sacred to both Hindus and Buddhists as one of the eight auspicious symbols. It represents the sound of the Dharma, the teachings of the Buddha. 

Frequently conches were used as trumpets to eliminate negative energy during not just religious rituals, but also were used by warriors to announce battles. Below are some decorated shankh/conch shells used for ritualistic purposes as trumpets or just objects in temples.

 


Born in Croatia, Sylvia Gottwald studied fine art and design in Italy and Canada prior to earning her Masters of Architecture from Harvard University and completing her post-graduate in City Planning at MIT. In 2000, following her long, successful career practicing architecture and urban planning locally and internationally, she turned her attention and efforts to the gems of the oceans.Ms. Gottwald transforms the natural beauty and iridescence of nacre/mother-of-pearl and pearls into contemporary wearable art. Her avant-garde designs integrate nacre with precious metals, semi-precious gems, and edgy modernmaterials such as rubber and steel. Her interest in nacre is not only it’s inherent beauty, but also the importance of oysters to our marine ecosystems. The pearly oysters filter polluting nitrogen and plankton, protecting the oceans, and adding to the sustainability of life on our planet. In addition to their precious nacreous shell, they create a mysterious gem- the pearl- the only gem created by a living organism. Ms. Gottwald’s growing list of published work includes the covers of European Vogue, Elle Decor, Ornament, Home & Design, exhibited at the Musée des Arts décoratifs, Palais du Louvre (Paris); Musée de la Nacre (Paris/Meru); Museum of Modern Art (New York City); Museum of Contemporary Art Kampa (Prague); Museum of Women in the Arts (Washington, DC); and the International Museum. Photo: SYLVIA GOTTWALD, in Dubrovnik, Croatia, 2012. Photograph by Domagoj Blazevic. of Applied Arts (Turin).