Understanding Symbolism in Madhubani Art

The Madhubani district of Bihar is not like any other. This unique place in India has an entire style of art to its credit. Madhubani painting style is an ancient style the origins of which are not easily identified. It emerged when this region was called Mithila, named after the Maithili speaking population that lived there, which is why Madhubani paintings are also called Mithila paintings. This is an art form that is driven by women in the tribe. Traditionally, they painted the walls and floors of their house in the Madhubani style to welcome the gods who, it is believed, visit each home in the morning and provide blessings. With time and unexpected popularity, they slowly included canvas and cloth paintings to their arsenal as well.

The best part about madhubani is that it is not limited by anything. There are Mithila paintings depicting religious themes like a ritual being performed; there are social depictions like a community event or gathering. Mythical figures, gods and goddesses are also frequent features of Madhubani paintings. One of the many such special characteristics of Madhubani paintings are their unique and colourful motifs, many of which appear repeatedly. This repetition is symbolic—where literature speaks through words, paintings speak through motifs and symbols. In this article, we are going to list out the various symbols used in Madhubani paintings, and then try to interpret these symbols in one such painting by the famous Madhubani artist, Ambika Devi.

Symbolism in Ambika Devi’s Godna Painting

Before we start decoding the motifs of Madhubani art, take a minute to absorb the beauty of this Madhubani painting by Ambika Devi. The geometrical pattern and the intricate detailing means everywhere you look, you have a detail that engrosses you. The colour red is used in such a manner that it perfectly harmonizes the whole painting without overpowering it.

Ambika Devi, a recipient of the National Handicrafts Award, was inspired by the tattoos worn by native women while creating this, and indeed that is why it is called Godna—literally meaning ‘to engrave’. The particular symbols chosen are also inspired by the ones tattooed by women and tell a story if one were only ready to read them. So let’s get into the details of the particular symbols.

Peacock Symbol in Madhubani Art

Peacocks, in most Madhubani paintings and artworks, embody the spirit of romantic love. Their grace, beauty and splendour all adds to this effect. On careful observation it becomes clear that the outermost circle of the concentric circles in Ambika Devi’s painting features—you guessed it—a series of peacocks. Now this knowledge of the implied meaning behind the symbol is only relevant when put into context. In isolation, it would seem like a meaning derived simply for the sake of it.

Notice the vines and flowers in the background, around the circles. These represent nature herself. It could be interpreted as the entire ecosystem even. Now in light of this observation, the peacocks become all the more meaningful. Love—whether romantic or not is irrelevant—engulfs the whole world, the whole ecosystem. Let us go further ahead and see what the other circles in the painting might represent.

Elephants in Madhubani Art

Elephants symbolise family—large families, in fact—and prosperity. This could be due to their tendency to live in large, strong groups where family plays an important role. Moreover, elephants live in a matriarchal system with the oldest female being head of the family. Considering that Madhubani is a women-dominated field, elephant motifs for symbolising strong families makes sense.

Now put into the context of the painting, this tells us that love and family are shown in direct correlation. There are therefore many familial and community vibes that emerge from this painting. The other concentric circles depict human figures, which could be seen as groups of men and women of a village or area—cohabiting. The tightknit design and the geometric choice of concentric circles indicate the close bond and communal harmony within the region.

Flora and Fauna in Madhubani Art

If there’s one staple in most Madhubani art, it’s the flora and fauna. Which is a testament to how much direct contact with nature is involved in their daily lives. Various motifs of this kind can mean different things. Like the lotus motif is symbolic of female sexuality, and the bamboo is its male equivalent. Similarly, trees can in some cases symbolise ‘cycle of life’, hence being called the ‘tree of life’ symbol. Sometimes the meaning is more abstract—like growth, the ecosystem, creation and interconnectedness.

Now note the flower at the very center in the painting by Ambika Devi. This flower is very similar—if not the same—as the ones on the margins or the corners. A variety of interpretations can be drawn from this seemingly simple detail. It could signify the harmonic similarities between the human ecosystem and the larger ecosystem of the earth. It could also be seen as a symbol stating that everything begins and ends in nature, or that everything ultimately is for the benefit of the larger ecosystem. Or in a different way, one could say that the intricate relationships of humans with each other is likened to the complex web of petals on flowers. A more simple interpretation might just be that the vines signify the intricate web of interconnected relationships, not only within human societies but also between humans and the flora and fauna.

Interpret away, for the sky is the limit. Madhubani art is very homely and comforting in that it depicts simple everyday life scenarios and makes them meaningful. If you’re someone who might be interested in knowing more about the delicate intricacies of symbolism and the techniques used in Madhubani art, try out Rooftop’s Madhubani Art Course with Padma Shree Dulari Devi, available in Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced levels!