View source for Chemistry:Panchaloha

{{Short description|Term for traditional five-metal alloys used for Hindu artifacts}}
{{italics title}}
[[File:Panchaloha.jpg|thumb|A ''murti'' statuette of Vishnu made from ''Panchaloha'']]
'''''Panchaloha''''' ({{lang-sa|पञ्चलोह}}), also called ''Pañcadhātu'' ({{lang-sa|पञ्चधातु|lit=five metals}}), is a term for traditional five-metal alloys of [[Religion:Sacred|sacred]] significance, used for making [[Religion:Hinduism|Hindu]] temple ''murti'' and jewelry.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindu-blog.com/2007/10/what-is-panchaloha-idol-components-and.html|title=What is Panchaloha idol (murti) – components and percentage used?|website=www.hindu-blog.com|date=16 March 2017 }}</ref>

== Composition ==
The composition is laid down in the ''Shilpa shastras'', a collection of ancient texts that describe arts, crafts, and their design rules, principles and standards. Panchaloha is traditionally described as an alloy of Gold, [[Chemistry:Silver|Silver]], [[Chemistry:Copper|Copper]], [[Chemistry:Zinc|Zinc]], and [[Chemistry:Iron|Iron]]. It is believed that wearing jewellery made of such an alloy brings balance in life, self-confidence, good health, fortune, prosperity, and peace of mind.<ref>B. Ravi (2003), Investment casting development - Ancient and Modern Approaches, National Conference on Investment Casting Central Mechanical Engineering Research Institute, Durgapur, IIT Bombay</ref>

In Tibetan culture, it was considered auspicious to use ''[[Religion:Thokcha|thokcha]]'' ([[Astronomy:Iron meteorite|meteoric iron]]) either as a component of the alloy in general or for a specific object or purpose.  The amount used could vary, depending upon the material's availability and suitability, among other considerations.  A small, largely symbolic quantity of "sky-iron" might be added, or it might be included as a significant part of the alloy-recipe.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.asianart.com/articles/thogchags/index.html|title=John Vincent Bellezza: Thogchags, Ancient Amulets of Tibet|website=www.asianart.com}}</ref>

==See also==
{{div col}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Ashtadhatu}}
* {{annotated link|Physics:High-entropy alloys}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Bronze}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Brass}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Orichalcum}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Corinthian bronze}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Hepatizon}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Electrum}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Tumbaga}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Shakudō}}
* {{annotated link|Chemistry:Shibuichi}}
* {{annotated link|Religion:Thokcha}}
{{div col end}}

== References ==
{{reflist}}

== Further reading ==
* ''[https://web.archive.org/web/20080512003524/http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/0210/Pillai-0210.html The Lost-Wax Casting of Icons, Utensils, Bells, and Other Items in South India]'', R.M. Pillai, S.G.K. Pillai, and A.D. Damodaran, October 2002, ''[http://www.tms.org/pubs/journals/JOM/jom.html JOM]''.

[[Category:Copper alloys]]
[[Category:Precious metal alloys]]
[[Category:Zinc alloys]]
[[Category:Tin alloys]]
[[Category:Lead alloys]]

{{Sourceattribution|Panchaloha}}