The art in the times before the 1st century AD is called the Pre-iconic phase as it did not represent the face and bodily depictions of Buddha<u>. </u>He was never depicted in the human form that we imagine today. <u>The art was rich with Buddhist symbolism and Buddha presented through the abstract forms and symbols – dharma wheel, endless knot, white parasol, lotus flower, etc. </u>
In the 1st century AD, likely influenced by Greco-Roman art, Buddhist art entered into the iconic phase. This means the image of anthropomorphic Buddha started to appear more, <u>although the symbolism that was adopted beforehand remains and is used until today.</u>
