The Crown of Five Skulls
Skt., panchakapalaTib., rigs-lnga khro-bo
In the Hindu tradition, this term refers to a the five skulls worn as a necklace by deities such as Heruka and Mahakala.
In the Buddhist tradition, panchakapala refers to a crown studded with five skulls, which is
also known as Dharmapala Crown (see illustration), worn by most
Dharmapala's with the exception of
Kubera and Sitabrahma.
It contrasts with the Bodhisattva Crown
(consisting of five leaves rather than skulls) and clearly marks a deity as
a Tantric manifestation.
Apart from the eight Dharmapalas, the skull crown (one of the charnel ground ornaments) is sometimes worn by other fierce or wrathful deities.