Power- Removing the Veil of Illusion
This figure represents the power all women have . . . whatever the background.
In this representation of feminine form, although depicting an Indian woman, ethnicity has no role; we are . . . masculine or feminine, the creators of our own destiny. Here the veil represents the ability to see the truth and have the will to act upon it.
All women at one time or another have been required to cover themselves up as their society dictated … a symbol of propriety . . . or other? In many Western societies, it has only been through great courage, cost, determination and sacrifice that the power of the feminine is being restored. In this depiction of feminine grace and on her left hand side (representing the masculine), the central figure is seen receiving a benediction from Lord Shiva (destroyer of ego and the masculine symbol of the sun’s illumination), the first light of dawn, dissipating darkness. As she removes the veil from her head, symbolizing her empowerment, Shiva, seen as the masculine from one angle and feminine from another, bestows her with Shakti ( the power of the Great Mother . . . Earth), to symbolically lift the veils of illusion from her eyes. Behind her and surrounding her, made up of many smaller ones, the massive head of an elephant, representing the ancient matriarchal society of family, strength and affection, stands behind her in her will to be free and inviolate. Masculine, feminine or otherwise, no one is free unless we all are.
