Makara is a legendary sea-creature of Hindu mythology, typically depicted as a hybrid with the forequarters of a crocodile, deer or elephant and the tail of a fish, though its exact composite form varies by region and period. Makara serves as the vahana, or mount, of the river goddess Ganga and of Varuna, the god of the ocean, and appears widely in Hindu temple art and iconography. In Hindu astrology, Makara is also the name of the zodiac sign equivalent to Capricorn, a separate entity already recorded in this atlas's rashi type.
Facts
Iconography
SymbolSourced to the subject's own accountA makara is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal in the front, such as a stag, deer or elephant, and half aquatic animal behind, usually a fish, dolphin or serpent tail. 1 Connections
Associated With
In Hindu iconography Makara, the composite sea-creature, is the vahana (mount) of Varuna, god of the ocean.
Belongs to Tradition
Originated In
Sources
1. Makara (Hindu mythology) (Wikipedia)
Physical features of makara sectionQuote, Physical features of makara section
It is generally depicted as half terrestrial animal in the frontal part (stag, deer, or elephant) and half aquatic animal in the hind part (usually of a fish, a dolphin, or a snake, though sometimes a peacock or even a floral tail is depicted).
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