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(Ceremonial Palm Wine Vessel, 19-20 century, Grassfields region, Cameroon) Many cultures from around the world, have their own ceremonial items, most have ceremonial vessels for any type of wine, or drink. This ceremonious vessel was created from a Calabash. A fruit that comes from a Calabash tree grown in parts of Africa, the Calabash fruit becomes a vessel after it has been gutted. A hard shell is left behind and becomes the vessel that is decorated in beads. These were made specifically for a chiefs use only. This vessel contains Palm Wine for ceremonial occasions. This container was used for rituals where the Palm Wine reinforced a chief's spiritual and political power (smarthistory.org) as well as an offering to ancestors. This object is such an important item, lots of intricate detail had to be added, where all the beads and their orientation represent important values. The three heads at the top signify all-seeing powers. The part underneath shows royal power. On the base of

  (Bet Giyorgis, Lalibela, Ethiopia, c. 1220) The Lalibela church. Religions are elements of many people's lives, that have great power over them. Allowing them to achieve goals and change lives; for those who believe and those who don't. With some religions being 2000 years old and even older. There's no doubt many churches have been build all over the world. One particular church, of the many built around the world, astound people in every way. This church is from Lalibela, Ethiopia; and is called the Bet Giyorgis which translates to "House of Saint George" (www.exploringafrica.com). Not many people may recognize it, but t his is one of the most iconic churches in Lalibela; for its breathtakingly awesome and yet strange structure and scenic surroundings. That attracts many for its unusual location. The Bet Giyorgis was a giant granite rock excavated from the ground. This rock is what became the Bet Giyorgis; carved out of one single piece of rock that is 15 feet

Japanese works of art come in many shapes and sizes, with plentiful hidden meanings, and obvious ones. Just like any piece of art, but they're many forms of one subgroup of art; as there are drawings and paintings. That can be placed in printed books (ehon), single- or multi-sheet prints (hanga), painting in form of hanging-scrolls (kakemono), and handscrolls (emaki), moveable folding screens (byobu), usually in pairs, sliding door paintings (fusuma-e) and smaller-scale fan paintings and album leaves. (smarthistory.org) From these many examples, we can see that art doesn't have any specific form, it has many, yet, they all express the same meaning in different forms. Such as screens and sliding doors that serve either one or two purposes, to stop the wind or separate rooms. They are often changed to accommodate each season; as well as hanging scrolls, that come in pairs or sets of three. These hanging scrolls can be placed in any and all rooms, as well as used to honor a specif

(Todai-ji, 740, Nara Japan) Japan always has its amazing one of a kind features, such as buildings, subcultures, and their notorious bullet trains; but what do these amazing features have in common with the Todai-Ji?  Their all unique structures, that make Japan what it's known for and admired. Over many years, any types of objects are made, in the year 740, the Todai-Ji (Great Eastern Temple) was completed. Making this building 1280 years old, while also being one of the biggest projects ever done in Japan being 187ft accros and 159.4ft high. The reason for the Todai-Ji being so huge was for the purpose of bringing various clans under one rule. The rule, of Emporer Shomu, from the Nara era, during a time where Buddhism was a grand influence for the Japanese people.  The creation of the Todai-Ji, was inspired by Buddhism, where as Buddhist monks and craftspeople played a role in the making of the Todai-Ji. Which was created to honor Buddisim, with its many towering statues. Such as

The Three Gods (Vishnu, 12th century, Pala dynasty) These three gods, Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma, are part of something called the Hindu Triumvirate. Vishnu is the preserver, Shiva the destroyer, and Brahma the creator. In which these three gods, work together to keep the world moving. Whereas Brahma created the universe, and Vishnu preserves it, and lastly Shiva is tasked to destroy the universe, so it can be recreated once again. The Hindus believe Shiva and Brahma, still use their powers of creation and destruction to cleanse the world of its impurities. This first image to the left shows a stele of Vishnu with an interesting triangular top, unlike other steles. Vishnu is in the center with his two attendants at his side, who might be Bhu and Shri. From that, if you look up at the arms and what Vishnu is holding; you can see he carries a mace in his left hand and, a disk in his right hand. While his other two arms which are broken would have held a lotus and a conch. Each arm held so

In many cultures, from all around the world, supernatural beings have always been the epicenter of people's cultures, and lives. These gods are great influences for those who believe them, while many have similar gods and others have different gods. Gods have always been a part of our culture and will continue to be so long as we keep believing in them. This god is one the most popular amongst all of the Hindu gods and is known as Ganesha, Ganesh, or Ganapati; the god of beginnings.  Whom is worshiped by the Hindus; once every year many people gather to create statues of Ganesha for the Ganesh Chaturthi festival in Mumbai. Where these figures are made of clay and are shaped through silicone molds. After the clay has been pressed into shape, other details are added to bring the statues of Ganesha to life. Once these statues are sold they are placed in shrines, in homes, as well as public areas. To honor the god Ganesha, in which his name is defined as, lord of the people and lord of

(The Altenberger Altar, 1330 Rhenish Master) This is an image, of what is known as the Altenberger Alter, created by Rhenish Master in the year 1330 which depicts Christ and the Virgin. As well as the life and death of Christ, and many other details. Referencing the Annunciation, Nativity, Death, and Coronation of the Virgin, (smarthistory.org) painted on the right side of these two sets of wings. While the left side depicts the visitation of the magi, along with the two patron saints Michael and Elizabeth. Whereas the outside of these wings describes the story of the Passion, on this 4.3 meters wide altar.  Looking at this altar straight on, one of the first things I noticed was the beautiful stone carving in the center of this piece. Joined together with great detail, showing the Virgin holding Christ, sitting on a chair surrounded by arches. Which seen to made out of metal; while the panels of paintings, on the wings, also drew my attention because of their vibrant red colors enclos