Anne Key's Blog - Posts Tagged "apsaras"

I was thinking about priestessing this morning. One reason I am so passionate about finding women in their role as priestesses in the past is that I think it gives women new vistas for our understanding of women's roles in religion and spiritual practice. The Apsaras and Devatas on the walls of Angkor Wat are often considered "decorative." What if we considered the Devatas to be images of the priestesses? Or guardians of the temples (like the dvarapalas, also shown at the entrances, though in far fewer numbers)? That changes our heritage as women, from beautiful decoration to active, strong, and influential players.