Bayon's face-towers typically have four faces each, oriented to cardinal directions, though some have three. Original name was Jayagiri (not Jagiri), meaning mountain of victory. Polygonal masonry gives appearance of 3D puzzle. Most faces vary in expressions, features, and jewelry.
Bayon's 173 faces: Tokyo University research reveals three distinct groups
CambodiaGeneral
Site mentioned
Key facts
- Bayon has 54 massive towers with 173 faces oriented to cardinal directions
- Tokyo University research (2007) divided the faces into three groups: Devas, Asuras, and Dvarapalas
- Original name was Jagiri, meaning mountain of Brahma or mountain of victory
- Polygonal masonry gives appearance of 3D puzzle
- Most faces depict different facial expressions, features, and jewelry
- According to alternative researchers, faces more likely represent Brahma (four-faced) than Buddha
- Area called Angkor Thom is 3km square, surrounded by 100m wide, 4m deep moat and 8m high wall
Sources
Bayon Temple tower wall with carved stone faces in profile - NCpediancpedia.org
The structures are known as "face towers." The carved bas-reliefs on the outer walls of the Bayon towers depict heroic historical tales as well ...
The Bayon: A temple with many faces - Smarthistorysmarthistory.org
The face-towers typically have four faces, each pointed towards the cardinal directions; although, some of the towers at Bayon have three faces. The faces ...
Bayon - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
The original name for the Bayon is Jayagiri (Khmer: ជ័យគីរី, Chey ... Efforts to read some significance into the numbers of towers and faces have ...
The Bayon - Tien Chiutienchiu.com
Most have four large smiling faces, but some have three or only two, and the central tower has more (!). These faces are quite large–4-8 feet across. The other ...
Multiplicity and Mercy — The Face Towers of Jayavarman VIIlucasvarro.com
Explore the meaning behind the Bayon's iconic four-faced towers — their origins in Jayavarman VII's compassionate kingship, their cosmological orientation, ...
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