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The decorations for Apsara are copied from that on the bas-relief of Khmer temples, but the present Apsara does not leave her body naked like the Apsara of the Angkorian period.
The modern day Apsara costume designer used white cloth, similar to the color of the skin and the shirt is cut tight to resemble the naked form. At the time carvings, showing a naked body with round and full breasts expressed virginity and perfection.
Monarchs ride the Royal Elephant.
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. Hor Baku or Hor Preah Khan: The hall where the throne objects and accessories are kept.
. Chan Chhaya: The hall where Royal Danc performers train. In front of the Chan Chhaya, there is a platform where the King can hold audiences with his subjuects and all levels of officials. |
It also express generosity for bringing messages from earth to heaven and for receiving all good wishes from heaven to people on earth. It is part of the Khmer heritage.
From the Angkor period, as depicted in the dress of some hill tribes, traditional Khmer women do not wear clothing from the waist up.
An audience will never see an Apsara dancer show he teeth during a performance. |
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This is also part of the Khmer tradition. Elders still advise female children not to smile by showing their teeth and not to laugh loudly. If they must laugh loudly the parents advise them to cover their mouths with their hands to hide the teeth and to muffle the sound of the laugh.
It is believed that a woman who laughs loudly and shows her teeth is a wretched woman, who will not be able to keep her wealth. Smiling without showing the teeth is considered most beautiful; it is similar to a budding flower that is sometimes lovelier than an open flower. Showing your teeth seems to give away all your secrets |
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. Of the thousands of Apsara bas-reliefs, only to smile with their teeth. One is smiling and opening her mouth widely, and another show all her teeth but does not open her mouth widely. We can also see an Apsara smiling and showing two teeth. |
was this done to poke fun? The two Apsaras who show all their teeth stand close to each other. These Apsaras are on the wall of the first exterior gallery facing to the east in Angkor Wat. The Apsara who shows two teeth is in the middle of the crowd.
She is ready to cover her mouth to hide her smiling. All the carved dancers hold flowers. For example, Apsara at Angkor Wat Temple mostly hold flowers with one hand.
The flower is sometimes short and sometimes long. |
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She holds the flower because it has an aromatic smell, which represents beauty and purity.
Those who like flowers are warm-hearted and love good deeds because the flower is the symbol of brilliant culture and civilization.
The flower refers to justice and loyalty. Thus those who care for flowers show the ideal of respect for human beings. The Sanskirt word “apsara” is synonymous with the Pali word “achara”.
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