Aśvini Nakshatra: The Intrinsic and Universal Qualities of Horses

Introduction

In this article on the Aśvini Nakshatra series, I will examine the symbolic significations attached to this nakshatra and, more broadly, to horses. These symbols are universally recognized across various cultures and historical periods. In a sense, because of the universality of their symbolic associations, we could say that horses possess intrinsic qualities that have consistently appeared as similar physiological associations throughout human history. Additionally, we could say that the utility of horses and their relationship with human societies have shaped a consistent mental imagery of their significations. This article aims to briefly address these components while providing some historical background on the emergence of these symbolic associations with horses.

Universal Significance of Horses

To begin with, horses have historically held universal significance in various cultures, symbolizing transportation, transitions, transformation, power, augmentative power, wealth, status and prestige.

Aśvinī Nakshatra and Vedic Traditions

To understand the deep-rooted symbolism of horses within Vedic traditions, we can look at the Aśvinī nakshatra, as this nakshatra is represented by the twin deities, the Aśvinī Kumāras, who embody symbolic associations similar to those universally recognized in horses, such as speed, agility and power, plus additional meanings such as healing.

A distinct aspect of the Aśvinī Kumāras' symbolism is their profound origin story, connecting them to Sūrya (the Sun) as his sons. It is through these narratives and mythologies that we can see how these qualities are attributed to the Aśvinī Kumāras and horses in general within the context of the Vedic transitions.

Symbolism of the Sun

For instance, the Sun is a symbol of power, representing the soul, consciousness, and the emerging self. It signifies life, as well as the life-giving and life-generating power, making it a hallmark of augmentative power. As the father of the Aśvinī Kumāras, the Sun also represents the most consistent movement in the sky from our vantage point on Earth, marking the transition from night to day, dark to light, and the changing seasons, as well as the calendar year in a consistent and methodical manner. This denotes transportation, transition, and transformation. Moreover, the Sun symbolizes illumination, vision, and vitality, naturally associating it with power and will. Its centrality as the crown star of our solar system also links it to status and prestige.

Tracing Symbolic Meanings

Given this, it is logical to extend these qualities to the Aśvinī Kumāras as the sons of Sūrya. However, we must ask: can we trace these meanings and symbols back through human history and see where else they appear, particularly in association with horses, even in the absence of Sūrya? Why do horses themselves, and their connection with humans, continually produce symbolic associations with transportation, transitions, transformation, power, augmentative power, wealth, status and prestige?

Historical Background of Horses

We can begin our exploration with the fascinating history of equines. Palaeontologists and archaeologists reveal that the earliest horse ancestors emerged approximately 55 million years ago. The creature known as Eohippus, or "dawn horse," represents the first significant step in the evolution toward the modern horse, a transformation that culminated around 2 to 3 million years ago. Interestingly, although horses initially evolved in North America, they traversed vast distances, spreading to other continents via land bridges during the last Ice Age, about 10,000 years ago. Horses became absent in North America after the Ice Age until their reintroduction by Spanish explorers in the 15th and 16th centuries, marking a kind of homecoming for the horse.

Domestication and Spread

Regarding their domestication and subsequent spread, archaeologists have pinpointed this event to around 5,500 years ago, circa 3500 BCE, in the Eurasian Steppe, encompassing parts of modern-day Ukraine, southwest Russia and west Kazakhstan. This region is associated with the Yamnaya culture, recognized from the late Copper Age/early Bronze Age for its crucial role in spreading Indo-European languages. The Yamnaya were also notable for their advancements in animal husbandry, particularly the domestication of horses. The introduction of horses led to profound changes in these societies, enabling faster transportation, more efficient trade routes and new warfare tactics. The mobility provided by horses allowed the Yamnaya to expand their territories, facilitating cultural exchanges and significantly influencing the social, economic and political landscapes of the regions they interacted with.

Impact on Human Societies

From the moment horses were introduced into human societies, we can observe significant transformations and advancements in human life and social structures. Horses heralded crucial changes in socio-cultural, political, economic and warfare tactics, starting as far back as the early Bronze Age in the Eurasian Steppes. Thus, it is no surprise that one of the deep psychological resonances we have with horses, now firmly entrenched in their symbolic representation, is their association with transition, transformation, transportation and power, including augmentative power.

Horses in the Indus Valley Civilization

Now we must address our primary question: when and how did horses enter the Indus Valley Civilization and the psyche of Vedic societies, and cultures? We must ask this equation, as horses were not native to the Indus Valley, nor did they originally migrate there on their own or get domesticated in this region. So, how did they become such an integral part of these ancient cultures?

Contested Presence in the Indus Valley and Horses in the Indian Subcontinent

Current research strongly suggests that horses did not initially play as prominent a role in the Indus Valley societies as they did in the Central Asian steppes. This difference is attributed to ecological and geographical conditions affecting the natural migration of horses. The Central Asian steppes provided expansive, open grasslands suitable for large herds of horses, a type of landscape absent in the Indus Valley. This contrast likely restricted the early proliferation and domestication of horses within that area.

Moreover, based on current paleontological, archaeological and anthropological findings, the Indus Valley Civilization, which dates back to around 3300–1300 BCE, lacks definitive proof of domesticated horses akin to those in the Eurasian and Central Asian steppes. While the Indus Valley Civilization is among the earliest urban societies in history, it does not provide clear evidence of domesticated horses. That said, the topic of horses within the Indus Valley Civilization remains a contested area of academic discussion. Some evidence suggests their presence, but it indicates that horses did not play a major role or appear in substantial numbers until much later.

These same academic discussions state that horses gained significant importance in the Indian subcontinent, especially following the diffusion of Indo-Aryan cultures and the emergence of classical Indian civilization. Widely recognized research highlights the arrival of the Indo-Aryans as a pivotal moment in South Asian history, intersecting with the creation of the Rigveda, one of the earliest Vedic scriptures. These texts frequently mention horses, making it evident that by the Vedic period, horses played an indispensable role in the culture.

In making the previous statements, I have to address a sensitive topic head-on. Some argue that the idea of horses not being a natural part of the landscape that gave rise to the Rigveda, the Aśvinī Kumāras, or the Aśvinī nakshatra diminishes the importance of horses in these traditions and even questions the validity of the traditions themselves. Conversely, others believe that the universal meanings and symbolism associated with horses predate the Vedic tradition, challenging the former claim. Much of this debate stems from both scholarly and nationalist discussions about the dating of Vedic societies and texts. I leave the interpretation and judgment of this matter to you, as it is far beyond the scope of our discussion.

Significance in Vedic Texts

What can be said with certainty is that by the time the Vedic texts were written, horses had assumed a critical role in transportation and warfare, similar to their role in neighbouring regions, symbolizing power and prestige. Additionally, horses enriched philosophical and spiritual discussions and participated in ritual sacrifices such as the Ashvamedha (horse sacrifice). This underscores their significance within the socio-religious customs of the era, highlighting how they were introduced and became deeply embedded within the fabric of ancient Indian societies. This can clearly be seen in the Rigveda, one of the earliest scriptures of this period, frequently mentioning horses, as the Aśvinī Kumāras, underscoring their indispensability by the Vedic period. The horses are also A focal point of Vedic astrology, in the form of the Aśvinī nakshatra, again epitomizing the deep-rooted symbolism of horses within Vedic culture. .

Universal Symbolism of Horses

Now, let’s explore the universal symbolic meanings of the horse and examine how they might have taken shape and solidified within the context of Vedic culture and traditions, particularly in the way the Aśvinī Kumāras and the Aśvinī nakshatra are conceptualized in their symbology.

Horses have long been associated with wealth and power, and these associations existed in other cultures as well. This points us to recognizing something fundamental about horses, whether intrinsic or stemming from their relationship with humans, that consistently evokes these same symbolic meanings, not just within Vedic societies but universally across all societies of its time and preexisting societies.

Historical Rarity and Value

Studies show that across all cultures, horses have always been highly prized possessions. This could be connected to the historical rarity and difficulty in acquiring horses, which inherently elevated them to objects of high value. This principle suggests that commodities which are hard to come by naturally assume greater significance. For instance, if we consider the association of power and augmentative power attributed to horses, we can see that they are physically endowed with tremendous vitality, speed, and endurance, indicating inherent power. Horses can easily cover and conquer large distances. However, the difficulty in acquiring them meant that only those with wealth and power could possess horses. By owning horses, these already wealthy individuals could further augment their wealth, power and prestige. This ownership endowed them with the capacity to conquer and traverse vast distances, whether for warfare or transportation, further expanding and enhancing their power.

Coveted Assets

In this way, horses became coveted assets. Owning a horse was not just a symbol of wealth and power but also a means to enhance one's social standing, influence and affluence. This reflects the horse's universal symbolic association with power, transportation, transitions and transformation. These associations stem from what horses can do and have done in relation to humans, as part and an extension of their inherent qualities.

Note that we also find all of these significations, such as: wealth, power, high social standing, influence, affluence, transportation, transition and transformation, in what the Aśvinī Kumāras and the Aśvinī nakshatra represent.

Understanding Symbolism

The reason I have taken this side note to examine the nakshatras through a historical lens is to highlight the importance of understanding symbols and their evolution beyond the face value of predictive interpretations, which are often repeated without analysis. What I’m trying to describe here is that the symbols we ascribe often have components that are existential and inherent, with many iterations and expressions in the natural world (such as power and the ability to transport, exemplified by a creature like a horse). Additionally, some symbols evolve through our social consciousness as we interact with these natural iterations. These existential symbols become imprinted in our minds, or perhaps they have always been there, waiting to be awakened within us. I use terms like “inherent,” “existential,” or “awakened within us” because horses exemplify this phenomenon; throughout human history, across different cultures and times, horses have consistently held the same symbolic representation within our psyche.

Simultaneity of Symbolic Qualities

The crucial point to comprehend here is the simultaneity of how and why we humans tend to ascribe specific symbolic qualities to different elements of our world. This inclination might arise from the inherent qualities of the subjects and objects we observe. Understanding these symbolic concepts from our human viewpoint is vital for grasping both the intrinsic qualities present in various aspects of our world and how they reflect the nature of existence. It also helps us understand what it is about ourselves, as part of this existence, that leads us to interpret these symbols in such a way.

Conclusion

In summary and in conclusion we could say, in examining the universal symbolism attributed to horses and their significance in Vedic culture, it becomes evident that these animals hold a profound and multifaceted place in human history and consciousness. Horses, with their intrinsic qualities of vitality, speed, and endurance, naturally evoke associations of power and majesty. These attributes have been consistently recognized across various cultures and historical periods, highlighting the deep psychological resonance horses have within the human psyche. Understanding the evolution of these symbols requires looking beyond their face value. Symbols like the horse possess components that are both existential and inherent, reflecting natural qualities and our interactions with the natural world. The simultaneous process of humans ascribing symbolic qualities to elements of our world and these symbols arising from the inherent qualities of the subjects themselves reveals a complex interplay. This understanding is crucial for grasping the intrinsic qualities present in various aspects of our world and their reflection on the nature of existence. It also illuminates our role as interpreters of these symbols, highlighting the intertwined relationship between our consciousness and the natural world. The horse, with its enduring symbolic presence, exemplifies this intricate connection, reflecting both our historical journey and our intrinsic nature as part of this existence. Within this framework, the Aśvinī nakshatra stands as a testament to the profound symbolic significance of horses in Vedic culture, embodying the themes of transformation, healing, and the eternal cycle of life.

Future Exploration

In the following articles, we will delve deeper into the symbolism of the Aśvinī nakshatra, explore their meanings within the context of nakshatras, and learn how to interpret them in relation to our human experiences.