Copper and Gold - the Kapala

The Kapala is fashioned from the oval upper section of a human cranium. It serves as libation vessel for a vast number of Vajrayana deities, mostly wrathful. Kapala is used for containing blood in tantric ritual. Held by Kali and other manifestations of Shiva Shakti, by Mahakala and other guardian deities and their Dankinis. Kapala is made of severed head of a man or the cup made of a skull, or a bowl.

Uses of Kapala:

Kapala holds the nectar used for performing higher esoteric rituals. It is used during higher tantric meditation in order to achieve a transcendental state of thought and mind within the shortest possible time. It is used to offer liberation to gods and deities to ensure their devotion. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Kapala or Skull Bowl is used ritually in a number of ways. For example, the Lama may use it as an offering bowl on the altar, filled with with wine or blood as a gift to the Yidam Deity or all the Deities in the Mandala.