Apsaras in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap

When I was writing the post on Angkor Wat, I put a picture of an Apsara, moving ahead with my picture album, I realized there were so many and all of them different from each other. Which one do I select and which I leave was not becoming easy for me. Moreover, would I be doing justice by putting just one or two?

There are said to be around 1,800 apsaras adorning the walls of Angkor Wat. The most interesting feature of these Apsaras is that none of the apsaras have similar crowns over their head, neither pose in the same way. Each is different!
It became mandatory for me to make a separate post and showcase these beautiful Apsaras. They are everywhere, on pillars, walls, towers and even ceilings.

Features of Apsara here:
In simple terms, an Apsara is a celestial being who is extremely beautiful, dances and is forever young.

• The images in Angkor Wat have Apsaras have feet pointed to one side. Probably it was considered inappropriate or culturally not accepted to be pointing feet at some one. It is considered not proper to sit with feet pointed towards an image of God in Hinduism.
• They have beautiful headdress over stylish hair dos.
• They wear necklaces, bracelets, armlets, anklets. They have heavy ear rings. They have no clothes on the top but wear a sort of transparent skirt below the navel, as the legs are visible through. Here, again heavy jewelry is worn.
• There is a crown on the head with a spike ending. The hair is braided in a very chic manner, might put any hair stylist to shame :)
• They do not smile but have a peaceful expression. There is just one Apsara in the whole Angkor Wat whose teeth are visible.
• Most of them hold a flower in their hands.
• Expressions, appearances too are different.
• Some of them have a typical Khmer features while others portray different facial features.
• There is a very interesting feature of all Apsaras holding flower.  They hold the stem of flower with middle and ring finger pressing it against the thumb. The index and small finger are free and extended.

 3-pointed headdress, heavy jewelry on neck and waist. Holding a stem of flower

a close-up of the above picture

 on pillar

3-pointed crown, not too much jewelry

a braided hairdo, flower in one hand

in a corner holding a lotus flower

jewelry on hair, 3-pointed

a trio of Apsaras stand with a flower stem

heavy jewelry in neck and waist

 apasara on a pillar with a 3-pointed crown

2-pointed crown holding a flower

 on tower

one holding a flower and the other trying to put flower on her hair

one holding a flower and the other trying to put one in her hair

multi braids hair style, each holding a flower

all holding a flower in hand but with different hairdo and crowns

group of apsaras

enlarged of above picture: interwoven braids, each holding a bud stem

a troupe of dancers, is it after or before a performance?

one putting a flower on hair, others holding it

 3 braids on each side and a studded tiara

conical 3-spiked crown

3-spiked crown and 3 braids on each side

3- spiked crown, a flower stem in hand

two stand side by side

One of the very few with her teeth showing

Two happy Apsaras with fan style hairdo and a flower clip to hold them, different at top and holding a flower stem.

Note the style of Apsaras holding the flower. They hold the stem of flower with middle and ring finger pressing it against the thumb. The index and small finger are extended and free. 

3-pointed crown, lotus bud in hand, seems like getting ready for a performance

hair shaped in fan-style, two pointed crown on head, not much jewelry

she stands alone by a pillar

is she trying to put a flower in her hair?

These are just a few pictures which I could manage. It is interesting to note the difference specially in their hairdos, jewelry and hand postures. Since, there are so many depictions, there must be many artisans at work. Some look like real images, can it so concluded that these were real life figures when the Angkor Kingdom thrived? Was the inspiration to sculpt these figures taken from them? Maybe, quite possible.