Epic Statuary Via Google Earth

¶ … Epic Statuary via Google Earth

The world is a large and incredibly diverse place in its landscapes, scenery, and geological history. Human beings have also brought a mark of diversity to the various regions they've inhabited, with each culture in every region of the world developing its own unique mode of religion and artistic expression. Yet for all of the differences that exist in people around the globe and in the globe itself, there is still an amazing degree of similarity between certain endeavors common to many cultures. An examination of three seemingly random geographical locations on Google Maps reveals that despite everything we might think, human beings are amazingly the same everywhere in the world. This is true not just in the necessities and facts of our day-to-day lives, but can also be seen in some of mankind's most extraordinary endeavors that, despite seeming unique in each instance, touches on something common to us all.

The first set of coordinates brings us to a rather non-descript and unassuming island in Asia. Formerly under British rule and control -- a state of affairs that ended within this past decade when the lease literally ran out -- the island of Hong Kong has now returned to the political domination of the people's Republic of China, which is nt exactly to the liking of many of Hong King's inhabitants. The particular inhabitant of this spot in Hong King, however, does not seem especially perturbed by the political upheaval and disagreement surrounding his home island. This inhabitant is a giant statue of Buddha, known as the Tian Tan Buddha, who stands (or sits, more accurately) at over one hundred feet tall. The people of Hong Kong have retained a strong connection to there Buddhist faith, which has been largely inhibited by Communism in mainland China. This statue is a symbol of Hong Kong's independent spirit.

Statues like the Tian Tan Buddha in Hong Kong can express many different things about a culture, but no matter what they always make a statement. They are the most permanent and most complete type of monument that can be built, as well as the most effective representation of a worshipped figure. Being three-dimensional allows them to be approached as real figures, and not merely false idols. These statues call on human feats of aesthetics and engineering, two of the callings that place us above the animals. Different cultures, of course, have different ways of interpreting our place in the world. The Buddhists in Hong Kong made their statue accessible; he sits atop a house of worship that many people visit every day. But though other statues might similarly represent worship, there are significant differences in how.

The second set of coordinates takes us to the statue of Jesus Christ outside Rio de Janeiro called O. Cristo Redentor or Christ the Redeemer. This is another large sculptural representation of a religious figure, but it is not nearly as accessible. Though still visited by intrepid tourists, this statue is perched precariously on the top of a mountain, arms impossibly outstretched and utterly dominating the view in that direction. The Catholic religion that mny Brazilians are members of and that was the cause of the statue being erected takes a much different view of religion than the Buddhists, and this is reflect in their statue. O Cristo Redentor is meant to be awe inspiring, dominating, and perhaps even a little intimidating. The Buddha, on the other hand, smiles in welcome to his visitors, and it is easy to walk right up to (or at least underneath) the statue. Here, it requires an arduous and even dangerous climb; a willingness to suffer and sacrifice if one wants to be close to the symbol of their Lord.

The third set of coordinates takes us to statues that depart wildly from the previous two, definitely in the style of their execution and probably in their intended purpose, as well. The statues of Easter Island are fairly well know, but the people of Easter Island still remain highly enigmatic, and are unique among the Polynesian cultures. The statues, large-headed male figures kneeling on the ground, vary in size but are almost all carved from the same source of volcanic rock and ash, the dormant volcano at the center of the island. The statues were built in a very short period of time, before the civilization was known ti European explorers, and so little has been recorded regarding their possible purpose. Like the Catholics of Brazil and the Buddhists of Hong Kong, the statues were likely religious and a mark of the people's belief in strength through their godly forces, but there is no specific myth among the people of the island that supports the creation of the statues explicitly. There is also no explanation for why most of the statues were abandoned at the quarry or at random places throughout the island.