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helln00 t1_j0pie4e wrote

This is not in India but there is an example of Greek iconography going as far as Japan through silk road which is the depictions of wind deities in Japan and China, which has characteristics of the Greek god Boreas, most iconically the windbag

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/F%C5%ABjin

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BuffaloAl t1_j0pjcb7 wrote

I believe there are echoes of heracles in some Japanese statuary as well

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osarusan t1_j0s55kv wrote

This is correct. Herakles and Boreas were massively popular in the Greek army, and so the lands that were conquered/settled by the Greek brought worship of these gods with them. Since Buddhism traveled from India through Bactrian Afghanistan on its way to China, Korea, and Japan, it picked up a lot of artistic and religious pieces from those cultures along the way.

In addition to the wind bag carried by Fūjin (descended from Boreas' cloak) the lion skins and weapons carried by Niō in their depictions are thought to be inspired by Greco-Bactrian depictions of Herakles, who wore lion skins and carried a big club.

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IchiThKillr t1_j0qqoy8 wrote

I’m Japanese and my wife is Greek. I have a tattoo of Fūjin on my arm and after reading this, we both had our minds blown.. so. many. similarities.

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temujin64 t1_j0twsb8 wrote

Lafcadio Hearn? Although he was half Irish and only born in Greece raised in Ireland.

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KingMob9 t1_j1phr5x wrote

That's cool!

Also, ever noticed the similarities between the stories of Orpheus and Eurydice, and Izanagi and Izanami ?

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Isabella1293 OP t1_j0pjd9p wrote

Now that is really interesting! Thanks for this.

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