Marichi Riding on a Horse

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Marichi was traditionally revered in Mongolia and Tibet as Goddess of the Dawn. She was regarded as a protector and benefactor who could cure illnesses, protect travelers from harm, and provide blessings to people in need. Marichi can appear in a variety of forms. The form portrayed in this painting has one head, three faces, two arms and two legs. Her front face is that of a human, while her two side faces are those of a sow. She sits cross-legged on the back of a tawny horse, holding a child in her arms. The iconography of the image is unusual, and may reflect Marichi’s specific role as a healer of sick children. 

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