About Ucheyma

Also known as Chinnamasta in Sanskrit, Ucheyma literally means “she whose head is severed.” Her iconography symbolises the clean and complete removal of the ego – the grasping at a separate self or individual identity. In general, our feelings of attachment or aversion arise because we have an ego to please, gratify and protect. However, in reality, this self or ‘I’ is illusory and does not really exist. Therefore, Ucheyma reveals this truth with the dramatic decapitation of her head. Her practice purifies the three delusions of ignorance, hatred and desire, and leads us swiftly to the attainment of Buddhahood.

Ucheyma’s right hand, extended downwards, holds a curved ritual chopper and her left hand holds aloft a blood-filled skullcup. Her head is severed and sits in the skullcup. The three severed blood vessels at the trunk of Ucheyma’s neck spurt three jets of blood that flow into the mouth of her own decapitated head and the mouths of her two attendants (not depicted). Standing amidst blazing wisdom fire, she is adorned with a crown of five dry skulls and wears a garland of fifty fresh heads around her neck. She holds a khatvanga (tantric ritual staff) on her left shoulder.

Her left leg is bent, stepping on the head and heart of the worldly deity Bhairava, representing the elimination of hatred and ignorance, while her right leg is straight, stepping on the breasts of Kalarati, representing the destruction of desire and its associated negative karmas.

Further Reading

• Beautiful Statue of Ucheyma | 精美殊胜的断首金刚瑜伽母像
• Mental Constructs and Ucheyma
• Ucheyma: The Severed Head Goddess Vajra Yogini
• Vajra Yogini & Dharma Protector - Tsem Rinpoche

• Material: Brass
• Height: 450 mm (17.7-in)
• Width: 290 mm (11.4-in)
• Depth: 110 mm (4.3-in)
• Weight: 4.4 kg (9.7 lb)