Thangkas are one of Tibet's most famous art forms, and they have fascinated generations of art fans around the world. Developed during the Songtsan Gampo era of Tibet, they incorporate elements from both Nepalese art and traditional Chinese paintings. Valued for their exquisite craftsmanship, they are also admired for their unique beauty and practical function. When traveling to other places, Tibetan monks will often carry a thangka to communicate with their gods. On a good tour in Beijing, you can find exquisite thangkas made by great Tibetan artists.
Much like a scroll painting, thangkas can be easily rolled up for storage and unrolled for display. Travelers and monks like to carry a thangka when they travel to other places because it is very lightweight. Home-dwelling Tibetans also like to use thangkas in their homes because they are beautiful and can be easily be put on a wall.
In many ways, thangkas are like Buddhist statues. Both of them are used as a medium through which people pay tribute to their gods, say prayers, and make requests. But the difference is also obvious: whereas a Buddhist statue only represents a certain deity in Buddhism, a thangka shows the deity and depicts his/her life stories, important events, and the Buddhist teachings associated with the deity. Such depiction is aimed to educate, enlighten, and enhance the contemplative experience of the Buddhists who study them.
For people who understand Tibetan Buddhism, the complex picture on a finely made thangka has a profound symbolism that reveals itself through very exquisite details on the picture. People can learn the teachings of Buddhism by carefully studying these details and finding out the intricate connections among them. One of the most common items depicted on thangkas is the Wheel of Life, or the universe in Buddhism.
Thangkas are also used by traveling monks as an educational tool. Even nowadays, there are monks who carry thangkas to remote regions to teach the locals the stories of Buddhism. On important dates, Tibetan monks will bring out precious thangkas kept in their monasteries for public display and carry them in ceremonial processions.
Making a thangka is an extremely difficult process. To make one thangka, a trained painter will use a variety of techniques and paints to create pictures on a cotton canvas or a piece of silk. All of the details are to be correctly painted and must conform to a set standard. The standard is very strict because even a small mistake can distort the original meaning of the message. To do this, a painter needs to have excellent painting skills and a deep understanding of both Buddhism and Tibetan culture. One of the characteristics of authentic thangkas is that they use paints made of natural minerals.
Depending on the method of production and materials used, thangkas can be grouped into two main categories: "Bris-Tang" and "Go-Tang."
"Bris-Tang": Thangkas that are painted are called "Bris-Tang." The five specific types of this category are: Multi-Colored, Gold Background, Vermilion Background, Black Background, and Block Printing "Bris-Tang."
"Go-Tang": "Go-Tang" thangkas are thangkas that are embroidered or made of silk. There are also five specific types in this category: Embroidery, Applique, Glued Applique, Hand-Woven, and Block Printing "Go-Tang."
All thangkas are made to conform to a strict standard concerning the use of colors. Different colors are used to show different themes or different characters. Red is the main color for thangkas that depict the life stories of the Buddha. Black is the main color for thangkas depicting gods who fight against evils. Blue is used to represent joy. Green is used to represent activity. And white is the symbol for peace and compassion.
In the amazing local shops of Beijing, there are authentic thangkas made by master painters from Tibet. When you are in the city, be sure to check out these exquisite products. If you are not familiar with the local business, it's best to find a tour guide in Beijing to help you shop.
Much like a scroll painting, thangkas can be easily rolled up for storage and unrolled for display. Travelers and monks like to carry a thangka when they travel to other places because it is very lightweight. Home-dwelling Tibetans also like to use thangkas in their homes because they are beautiful and can be easily be put on a wall.
In many ways, thangkas are like Buddhist statues. Both of them are used as a medium through which people pay tribute to their gods, say prayers, and make requests. But the difference is also obvious: whereas a Buddhist statue only represents a certain deity in Buddhism, a thangka shows the deity and depicts his/her life stories, important events, and the Buddhist teachings associated with the deity. Such depiction is aimed to educate, enlighten, and enhance the contemplative experience of the Buddhists who study them.
For people who understand Tibetan Buddhism, the complex picture on a finely made thangka has a profound symbolism that reveals itself through very exquisite details on the picture. People can learn the teachings of Buddhism by carefully studying these details and finding out the intricate connections among them. One of the most common items depicted on thangkas is the Wheel of Life, or the universe in Buddhism.
Thangkas are also used by traveling monks as an educational tool. Even nowadays, there are monks who carry thangkas to remote regions to teach the locals the stories of Buddhism. On important dates, Tibetan monks will bring out precious thangkas kept in their monasteries for public display and carry them in ceremonial processions.
Making a thangka is an extremely difficult process. To make one thangka, a trained painter will use a variety of techniques and paints to create pictures on a cotton canvas or a piece of silk. All of the details are to be correctly painted and must conform to a set standard. The standard is very strict because even a small mistake can distort the original meaning of the message. To do this, a painter needs to have excellent painting skills and a deep understanding of both Buddhism and Tibetan culture. One of the characteristics of authentic thangkas is that they use paints made of natural minerals.
Depending on the method of production and materials used, thangkas can be grouped into two main categories: "Bris-Tang" and "Go-Tang."
"Bris-Tang": Thangkas that are painted are called "Bris-Tang." The five specific types of this category are: Multi-Colored, Gold Background, Vermilion Background, Black Background, and Block Printing "Bris-Tang."
"Go-Tang": "Go-Tang" thangkas are thangkas that are embroidered or made of silk. There are also five specific types in this category: Embroidery, Applique, Glued Applique, Hand-Woven, and Block Printing "Go-Tang."
All thangkas are made to conform to a strict standard concerning the use of colors. Different colors are used to show different themes or different characters. Red is the main color for thangkas that depict the life stories of the Buddha. Black is the main color for thangkas depicting gods who fight against evils. Blue is used to represent joy. Green is used to represent activity. And white is the symbol for peace and compassion.
In the amazing local shops of Beijing, there are authentic thangkas made by master painters from Tibet. When you are in the city, be sure to check out these exquisite products. If you are not familiar with the local business, it's best to find a tour guide in Beijing to help you shop.
About the Author:
Author A. Lao studies Chinese culture and history. He assists a Beijing personal shopper who helps tourists find unique Chinese items. Sometimes he plans Beijing China tours.
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