Buddha was born in Lumpini forest in Nepal around 566 BC and died at the age of 80 years. He proposed what is known as the Middle Way – between extreme asceticism and a life of worldly pleasure.

Around the 1st or 2nd century, 500 or 600 years after his death, the first images in human form appeared in India. Rules soon developed governing his physical appearance, clothes, posture and gestures.

There are 4 postures: sitting, standing, walking and reclining.

The top of his head is often like a royal turban. Originally it may have been a tuft of hair, but came to be represented as a fleshy protuberance or like hair tied up in a bun. It signifies enlightenment.

Buddha was a prince and wore heavy earrings. The weight changed the shape of his ears. When he renounced the world and became an ascetic, he discarded the earrings, but too late. His ears were already long.