MYTHICAL LIONS
WESTERN APPROACH of THE GREAT SHWEDAGON…
Photo Information
Camera – Nikon D90
Lens – SIGMA 10-20mm Wide Angle Aspherical
Exposure Time – 1/25s
ISO Speed – 200
Focal Length – 10mm
ABOUT THE LIONS
A pair of giant mythical lions (in Burmese, Chinthe) stands guard at the entrances of Shwe Dagon Pagoda. Chinthes almost always in pairs, and serve to protect the pagoda around Burma. They typically appear as animals, but are sometimes found with human faces.
The story of the Chinthe goes something like this: A princess had a son through her marriage to a lion, but later abandoned the lion who then became enraged and set out on a road of terror throughout the lands. The son then went out to slay this terrorizing lion. The son came back home to his mother stating he slew the lion, and then found out that he killed his own father. The son later constructed a statue of the lion as a guardian of a temple to atone for his sin.
The Chinthe is revered and loved by the Burmese people, and it is used symbolically on the royal thrones of Burma.
SHOOTING
As usual, I went Shwedagon Pagoda to have some shots with my new Sigma Wide Lens. It was a bright Sunday, 26th April 2009. Yes, I went there with my best friend, Wynn Thein. We both got hundreds of shots and I fell in love with this one. Love the sentiment of Chinthes in this photo which demonstrate power, energy, bravery, and also as a royal symbol. I uploaded this shot on my Facebook account. So, I am sharing here again for those who do not have Facebook account. For those foreign fans, I would strongly recommend you to go Shwedagon pagoda at early morning. You are enabled to capture great shots with amazing sky and also be able to see some rare rituals of fanatic Buddhists. That’s the reason I never feel tired of going there every Sunday.
That’s a new taste I got with my new Nikon D90 and Sigma Wide Angle lens. They rock!!!
Credits: Thanks WYNN THEIN for his early morning call and kind accompany…
Nice one. You can take wide shots as much as you can now .. he hee heee