Snail crowned

Buddhist monks have shaved heads since hair is often a metaphor for human illusion and ignorance, thus having a shaved head symbolizes removing those illusions and ignorance. Images of Shakyamuni who was a monk, however, depict him with a head covered by short and tight ringlet curls. The story behind these curls is that as Buddha sat under a tree to meditate, he became so immersed in concentration that he didn’t notice the sun’s rays directed at his bald head. A passing snail noticed his deep meditation and fearing he would be distracted, without hesitation crawled on his head using his lubricated body to cool the Buddha’s smooth and bare skin. Soon after other snails joined and formed a cap of spiral shells. When Buddha arose from meditation he learned that 108 snails had formed a protective cap and had sacrificed their lives to facilitate his path to enlightenment. Shakyamuni Buddha is is now portrayed with this cap of spiral shell curls, called Shwebo thrones in Burma. The snails are honored as martyrs and are displayed on Buddha statues and other art forms to remind us of their sacrifice.