A solid gold necklace with Makara terminals Khmer, 9th – 14th century | 高棉 九至十四世紀 摩羯首金索項鍊

Makara is a legendary sea creature in Hindu mythology, and an essential decoration for south Indian jewels. Typically, its frontal half is depicted as a terrestrial animal such as a stag, and its hind half is depicted as an aquatic animal such as a fish. The Makara is a powerful symbol in temples, where it usually appears as stone figures above entrance portals. In particular, it is a central design motif in the lintels of the Roluos group of temples, that is, the Preah Ko, Bakong, and Lolei. As gold jewellery designs traditionally mirror architectural forms to serve as portable shrines for deities and incarnations, the Makara is a very common motif.

Wearing the Makara as jewellery is a significant symbol of power. The hybrid animal is a symbol of Shani, the cosmic judge, the one who judges every being and entity. Placed upon the entrance portals of temples and throne rooms, the Makara represents Shani’s scrutiny which destroys deception and illusion. Thus, a ruler wearing Makara motifs, symbolising clarity and the ability to see truth, commanded extreme respect and deference.

摩伽羅是印度神話中的海獸，亦是印度南部首飾的主要裝飾紋。在大部分描繪裡，他身體的前半部分是類似於鹿的陸生動物，後半部分則為魚等水生動物。在寺廟中，摩伽羅是一個強有力的宗教符號，並常常以石像的形式出現在入口處。尤其在神牛寺、巴孔寺、羅萊寺等羅洛士寺廟中，摩伽羅是寺廟門楣設計的主要圖案。傳統來說，黃金首飾的設計會模仿建築以達到其作為神靈和化身的神龕之目的， 於是摩伽羅也是黃金首飾上常見的圖案。

佩戴摩伽羅首飾是一個重要的權利象徵。此異獸象徵著審判世間萬物的宇宙審判者裟尼神。將摩伽羅放置於寺廟和王座室的入口大門標誌著裟尼神消除欺瞞和幻象的審視。所以當統治者佩戴了代表無邪和洞察真理的能力的摩伽羅圖案時，他將被賦予極大的尊重和敬仰。