Fig. 3 This head of Shakyamuni Buddha exhibits a number of characteristics that indicate his perfected and supernormal nature. These include a bump atop the head (ushnisha) signifying his expanded wisdom and a small circle in the middle of his forehead (urna). The Buddha's elongated earlobes allude to his early life as a prince, when he wore heavy earrings. When he left his father's palace and renounced material possessions, he removed his earrings.