Art or Porn: 10 Nude Statues from Around the World

Boasting a “very good” rating on TripAdvisor (that’s four out of five stars), you would think the relaxing Huaqing Hot Spring in Shanxi, China would attract couples looking to get some action after soaking in the stress-relieving waters. But it turns out the person getting the most action at the hot spring is the nude statue of Yang Guifei.

Yang Guifei is known as one of the Four Beauties of ancient China and a beloved consort of Emperor Xuanzong in the Tang dynasty. When she was alive, Yang was known to dip in the hot springs during winter in that area. The statue of her had its boobs fondled so much that staff at the site put up a notice asking visitors to “take photos in a civil manner,” however the notice seemed to encourage more lewd photos, reported CCTV News.

Many mig users expressed distaste, and commented that fondling statues is not appropriate.

Naked statues have been around for a long time, going all the way back to ancient Greece. Civilizations before them saw nakedness as weakness, but the Greeks had a different opinion. “Greek nudity is a sign, not of humiliation, but of moral virtue among the social elite of male citizens,” said director of the British Museum Neil MacGregor to the Daily Mail.

We have rounded up 10 more nude statues from around the world. Is this art or just plain pornography? You decide. Reader’s discretion is advised.

1. Konarksun Temple, India

Erotic sculptures at Konark Sun Temple. Photo by Pasug via Flickr.

It’s not surprising to find statues like these in the land of Karma Sutra. At the Konark Sun Temple, there are 60 sexual positions plastered on around the walls for you to take notes. And if 60 isn’t enough for you, head on over to …

2. Khajuraho Group of Monuments, India

Orgy sculpture at the Khajuraho temple. Photo by Leon petrosyan via Wikipedia

The Khajuraho Group of Monuments comprises a group of Hindu and Jain temples in India. Although there are more nude sculptures here than in the Konark Sun Temple, only 10 percent of the sculptures depict them in sexual positions—they are, however, mostly nudes.

3. Loveland, Jeju Island, Korea

Moving sculpture. Photo via Youtube screengrab.

“As the only sexual theme park in Korea, Jeju Loveland is a place where sexually-oriented art and eroticism meet. Jeju Loveland breaks the traditional taboos surrounding sex, and is a place where the visitors can appreciate the natural beauty of sexuality,” writes Jeju Loveland’s homepage. Enough said.

4. Pompeii, Italy

Erotic statue depicting beastiality in Pompeii, Italy. Photo via TyB on Flickr.

In Pompeii, Italy, you’ll find this statue of a Satyr (half man, half goat) and a goat doing the nasty, because goats symbolise procreation and fertility in some cultures.

5. Pashupatinath Temple, Kathmandu, Nepal

Erotic wood carvings found at Pashupatinath Temple in Bhaktapur. Photo via Didi on Flickr.

Erotic statues and wooden carvings can be found in some Hindu temples in Nepal. The reason for these statues and carvings is still unknown, but some theories have been proposed by scholars, one of it being for religious purposes. Hinduism considers sex as one of the most important parts of human life.

6. Siren, British Artist Marc Quin’s Erotic Sculpture of Kate Moss

Kate Moss sculpture at the British Museum via Youtube screengrab.

This British sculptor often tackles the idea of celebrities in the modern age. Go figure.

7. Nude Sculpture of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez by US Sculptor Daniel Edwards

Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez’s nude sculpture by Daniel Edwards via Youtube screengrab

Daniel Edwards, a US-based sculptor fashioned a statue of Justin Bieber and Selena Gomez standing next to each other in full bare with maple leaves covering their groin. Their relationship wasn’t as permanent as their nude sculpture. Want a close-up shot?

Photo: Daniel Edwards/Cory Allen Contemporary Art Daniel Edwards/Cory Allen Contemporary Art/PR

8. Britney Spears Giving Birth by US Sculptor Daniel Edwards

Photo: Statue of pop singer Britney Spears giving birth by infamous artist Daniel Edwards via illusion.scene360.com

Infamous artist Daniel Edwards claims another spot on this list again with his wildly-controversial statue of Britney Spears giving birth, especially in middle America.

9. Three Naked Men in the Rizal Monument in front of Catbalogan City Hall, The Philippines

10. David by Michelangelo, Florence, Italy

Marble statue of biblical hero David in Florence, Italy. Photo by Rico Heil via Wikipedia.

One of the most famous nude male statues in the world, complete with a veiny right arm and a meticulous depiction of the male genitalia, foreskin, and pubic hair. What do you think? Porn or art?

– by @derekcai

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