Stone, Symbol, and Leisure: A Reassessment of Geometric Symbols on the Stone-Paved Terrace of Jetavana Stupa, Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper examines the presence and potential function of geometric symbols engraved on the stone-paved terrace of the Jetavana stupa in Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka. Despite their frequent appearance in sacred architecture, the purpose of these symbols remains illusive. Scholars have speculated symbolic associations with fertility, menstruation, phallic and yonic symbols, birth, and yantra. Yet such interpretations lack robust archaeological or textual support. Through a comparative archaeological field study of geometric symbols located in the South Indian Hindu shrine of Mahabalipuram and the Jain monastic complex of Shravanabelagola, this research offers an alternative understanding of the engravings at Jetevana. The analysis suggests that these symbols are not ritualistic or religious, rather representing traditional board games, many of which are still played in South Asia today. This interpretation is supported by the spatial placement of the engravings. They are often located in peripheral areas of monastic architecture, where craftspeople may have gathered during breaks. Examples from religious sites of Mahabalipuram and Shravanabelagola in South India have comparable symbols to those at the stone-paved terrace of Jetavana, lending strong support to this interpretation. Ultimately, this study argues that these engravings reflect the social and occupational dimensions of ancient stone artisans' lives, rather than serving any overt religious or symbolic function. This research, with a focus on a specific region, contributes towards an appreciation of the labour of the creators of monumental architecture and the social elements of play embedded within the architectural landscapes of ancient complex societies.