Creative ingenuity in the isle of Sri Lanka spans centuries into the past. Some of the finest Sri Lanka artists have been behind such architectural wonders as the Sigiriya frescoes, the Dambulla murals, and the moonstones of Sri Lanka which reflects a quality sliver of Sri Lanka arts. Decorating many temples and palaces, is a unique half-moon-shaped monument of carved stone, gracing the entry point of buildings as well as staircases. Gaining its name from the shape and design, the moonstone first emerged during the height of the Anuradhapura era and then evolved through subsequent eras of the country’s history. Historians report that the intricate figures depicted on this semi-circular stone slabs represent the cycle of suffering, or Samsara, in Buddhism. A half lotus rests in the centre, representing enlightenment, with widening half circles featuring processions of the elephant (birth), horse (death), and lion (disease), each creature inscribed on a separate band, with some featuring bulls and swans (the distinction between good and evil). Formerly featuring a bull (representing decay) inscribed into the bands, this is the only major change of the monument’s design, and visitors are able to see this elabourate carving gracing the entryway to many, if not all, of the country’s temples and other buildings of ancient repute.
Angela Fernando is an impassioned travel writer who composes pieces under the pen name Sumaira Narayan. She loves writing about new and exciting places around the world and intends to visit them all someday.