The prominent garland of skulls around Maa Kali's neck represents the cycle of life, death, and rebirth.They also represent the egos of demons she has destroyed. In her hands, she typically holds a scimitar which signify divine knowledge cutting through human ego and illusion to achieve spiritual liberation (moksha).The multitude of the red-colored sea of skulls forming the base of the display emphasizes her association with the cremation grounds (smashana), a place of death, transformation, and liberation from worldly attachments.