Lotus symbol in jewelry art of Oc Eo culture

Abstract

Gold plaques are the most special artifacts from Oc Eo culture because of their huge quantities& their appearances in many places of Southern Viet Nam. They were made for religious purpose. Most of them were buried under the temple centre during construction. These gold plaques were contributed by one or more prayers who believed the gold would stay with God forever. The prayers also believed that they would have good fortune after offering gold plaques to God. The Oc Eo gold plaque technique was imported from the neighbouring cultures such as India or Java. Lotus is one of the symbols which is usually found on these artifacts. They call Lotus the God Flower because it has quality good enough for praying. The finding of a lot of gold plaques strongly demonstrates that a powerful Kingdom of Funan did exist in the South of Viet Nam.