Initiation crown with skulls

Silk crowns or headdresses, like these two, are used in Tibetan Buddhist rituals. They may be worn by a monk during ritual chanting or by a performer in monastic ritual dances. They may also be worn during initiation ceremonies. The crown with skulls emphasizes the teaching that a Buddhist must transcend fear of death and attachment to life in order to escape the cycle of reincarnation. The other crown has five Buddha figures, representing the teaching of meditation practices. Each of the figures has achieved enlightenment (passing beyond the wheel of life, death, and rebirth) but still helps people in understanding the teachings of the Buddha.