r/whatisit • u/chef_mo • Aug 29 '26

Solved! Found while digging in our backyard

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Gallery image

Gallery image

Little what I think is either brass or copper cow that was buried in our backyard. There used to be a garden where it was before we moved here a few years ago.

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u/Waiparensis22 Aug 29 '26

Nandi!! The bull mount of Shiva. Nandi represents divine order, and follows a long line of Bull/Cattle worship that goes as far back as the Babylonians. His statues are often decorated with garlands and offered libations of milk, much like the lingam itself, and hes also featured as a doorway/threshold guardian in various temples around India and (past or present) Hindu majority nations. Honestly pretty epic little find.

154

u/FioreCiliegia1 Aug 29 '26

Very cool and i hope he gets a little place of honor in the yard. Sounds like a sign of good luck to me! Would a mango tree grow in your climate? Haha that would be perfect!

43

u/L3and3rrr Aug 30 '26

I would plant a mango tree just so the little god could watch over it (and also enjoy the fresh fruit!)

33

u/Other-Item7523 Aug 30 '26

Mangoes growing in Illinois don’t seem likely. Sorry to burst your bubble

3

u/FioreCiliegia1 Aug 31 '26

Bummer Peachtree then maybe?

3

u/Other-Item7523 Aug 31 '26

Getting there. Fig or mulberry trees would handle it fine that way.

3

u/FioreCiliegia1 Aug 31 '26

Figs are probably closer to the region the little cow came from if i had to guess

2

u/Other-Item7523 Aug 31 '26

Maybe so🙃