The image on top is a vajra flaying knife from 15th century Tibet.

The vajra comes out of the mouth of a makara.  An object of beauty for that darkest of purposes: to kill

Behold this stunning 17th century gold pendant.

Where does the aroma go?

Are makaras crocodiles?

Dolphin, crocodile, gharial

which is it?

Who rides the makara?

Guardian of the temple gates

Makara as a motif

The dancing earrings

Makara in iconography

As above so below

The vedic Taittiriya Brahmana says नक्षत्राणि पृथिव्याः चित्राणि

the stars are but pictures of what occurs on the earth