| Abstract: |
This study focuses on the relief sculptures of <i>dvārapāla</i> and <i>devatā</i>, gatekeepers of a sanctuary, which is a prevalent theme of Khmer architectural decoration. These male and female gatekeepers have generally been considered in separate contexts. However, integrating both as a principal variable brings a new perspective. This study reviews the arrangement of the gatekeepers, focusing particularly on the gender and the iconography from over 50 Khmer sites widely distributed throughout mainland Southeast Asia. The gatekeepers can be divided into two groups: the gender of the enshrined deity for one group corresponds with that of its gatekeeper, and that of the other group uses a female gatekeeper despite the male gender of the enshrined deity. While for the first group, historical and regional influences appear to be consistent, for the second group, certain indications suggest that the shrine, intended as a state temple, selectively installed a female gatekeeper.
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