Karuppu is a Tamil deity often found in Hindu-Tamil temples (fig.). His name means ‘Black’ and in compliance with his name, he is usually portrayed with a black, or alternatively, with a grey or greyish-blue complexion, his hair plaited in a thick tuft (jata) that hangs over to one side, and three horizontal lines (tri-pundra) applied on his forehead. Besides this, he stands upright and wields a weapon with his right hand, in general a scimitar-like sword.