The subject of this paper is the role that erotic offerings play in Southeast Asian temple votive objects. Votive objects are objects made to be given as an offering or gift to a deity, usually placed at temples or shrines as a sign of devotion and gratitude. They can range from simple statuary to intricate carvings, paintings, and other artworks. Erotic offerings, which depict fertility symbols such as phallic stones, sculpted breasts, or coupling forms, represent prayers for erotic vitality, health, or generative power. In Thailand and Cambodia, these types of votives have been found dating back to ancient times.
In many cases, erotic offerings were used to express thanksgiving for successful pregnancies, births, and other acts of procreation. This type of representation was also intended to invoke blessings from the gods for fertile crops and livestock. Some scholars believe that these items were also used to ward off evil spirits and protect against sexual diseases.
The most common form of erotic offerings found in Southeast Asia are small figurines known as lingams, yoni stones, and other stone statues with exaggerated features. These figurines were often decorated with ornate engravings, jewels, or precious metals. In some instances, they were accompanied by incense burners or vessels containing liquids symbolizing semen. Other examples include statues of nude figures engaged in sexual activities or carved wooden penises and vulvas.
While it is unclear why these objects were created or what their exact purpose was, they may have had religious significance beyond simply representing fertility. It is possible that they could have represented a more complex spiritual relationship between humans and deities, including concepts of fertility and sexuality. The use of such objects may have reflected social norms about sexuality at the time and served as an opportunity to reflect on gender roles within society.
Overall, the presence of erotic offerings embedded in Southeast Asian temple votive objects suggests an understanding of sex and sexuality that extended far beyond contemporary Western notions. The fact that these objects still exist today provides evidence that sexuality has been understood and valued differently throughout history than we typically assume today.