Ashlar Masonry
A method of stone construction using finely dressed stones.
Bandolier bag
A type of bag worn across the body, often decorated.
Chacmool
A stone sculpture depicting a reclining figure with a bowl on its stomach.
Corbel arch
An architectural element that uses corbels to support a structure.
Coyolxauhqui
An Aztec moon goddess, depicted in various forms of art.
Huitzilopochtli
The Aztec god of war and the sun.
Kiva
A ceremonial structure used by Pueblo peoples.
Potlatch
A ceremonial feast among Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest.
Pueblo
A type of communal dwelling used by Native American tribes in the Southwest.
Roof Comb
A decorative architectural feature on the roofs of Mesoamerican structures.
Teepee
A conical tent traditionally used by Indigenous peoples of the Great Plains.
Tlaloc
The Aztec god of rain and fertility.
T'oqapu
A type of textile pattern used in Inca clothing.
Transformation mask
A mask used in Native American ceremonies that can change shape.
Adobe
A building material made from earth and organic materials.
Aka
A term referring to a group of people or culture in Africa.
Byeri
A type of reliquary used by the Fang people of Gabon.
Bundu
A female initiation society among the Sande people of West Africa.
Fetish
An object believed to have supernatural powers.
Ikenga
A personal shrine used by the Igbo people of Nigeria.
Lukasa
A memory board used by the Luba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Mblo
A type of portrait mask used by the Baule people of Ivory Coast.
Ndop
A type of royal portrait figure from the Kuba people of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Nkisi n'kondi
A type of power figure used in Kongo culture.
Pwo
A female mask used in the initiation ceremonies of the Chokwe people.
Scarification
The practice of creating scars on the skin for cultural purposes.
Torons
Horizontal beams used in adobe construction.
Bas-relief
A sculptural technique where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background.
Bodhisattva
A person who has attained enlightenment but delays nirvana to help others.
Buddha
An enlightened being in Buddhism.
Darsham
A term referring to the act of seeing or being seen by a deity.
Horror vacui
An artistic principle that emphasizes filling the entire space.
Iconoclasm
The rejection or destruction of religious images.
Mandorla
An almond-shaped aureole surrounding a sacred figure.
Mithuna
A term referring to a couple or sexual union in Indian art.
Mudra
A symbolic hand gesture used in Hindu and Buddhist practices.
Nirvana
The ultimate state of liberation and freedom from suffering in Buddhism.
Puja
A ritualistic worship in Hinduism.
Sakyamuni
Another name for Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha.
Shiva
A principal deity in Hinduism, known as the destroyer.
Stupa
A mound-like structure containing Buddhist relics.
Torana
A ceremonial gateway in Indian architecture.
Urna
A spiral or dot on the forehead of a Buddha statue.
Ushnisha
A topknot or bun on the head of a Buddha statue.
Vairocana
A celestial Buddha in Mahayana Buddhism.
Vishnu
A principal deity in Hinduism, known as the preserver.
Wat
A Buddhist temple in Thailand.
Yakshi
A female spirit associated with fertility and vegetation in Indian art.
Coiling
A pottery technique involving rolling out clay into coils.
Colophon
A statement at the end of a book detailing its production.
Confucianism
A philosophical system based on the teachings of Confucius.
Daosim
A religious and philosophical tradition from China emphasizing living in harmony with the Dao.
Hanja
Chinese characters used in the Korean language.
Literati
Educated individuals in traditional Chinese society, often associated with culture and arts.
Pagoda
A tiered tower with multiple eaves, common in East Asian architecture.
Porcelain
A high-fired ceramic known for its strength and translucence.
Potter's wheel
A device used by potters to shape clay into pottery.
Throwing
The process of shaping clay on a potter's wheel.
Yin and yang
A concept in Chinese philosophy representing dualism.
Genre painting
A style of painting depicting scenes of everyday life.
Haboku
A Japanese painting technique characterized by spontaneous brushwork.
Kondo
The main hall of a Shinto shrine.
Tarashikomi
A Japanese painting technique involving the use of wet paint on wet paint.
Ukiyo-e
A genre of Japanese woodblock prints depicting landscapes and scenes from history.
Yamato-e
A style of Japanese painting that emphasizes narrative and color.
Zen
A school of Mahayana Buddhism emphasizing meditation.