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Creation of Tibetan Thangka Paintings
For thousands of years, Tibetan Thangka paintings serve as a unique form of art that has been an integral part of Tibetan culture. Typically made on cloth or paper, Tibetan Thangkas are used as aids in meditation and for teaching. Throughout their history, Tibetan Thangka paintings have been used to convey important religious and philosophical teachings to the Tibetan people.
The creation of Thangkas is a complex process that involves many steps, including sketching, outlining, coloring, and outlining again. The paintings are typically created by skilled artists who have undergone years of training in traditional techniques. These artists use a variety of materials, including natural pigments, gold leaf, and silk, to create intricate and detailed works of art.
Five Primary Colors of Thangka Paintings
In the most primitive Tibetan belief, “white, yellow, red, blue and green” constitute five original colors of Tibet.
Each of the five pigments hand-grinded from the raw Tibetan stones represents different meanings and powers of the unique Tibet. Each of the raw materials derives from the most natural essence of Tibet.
white
Purges the Poison of “Delusion”
As the final mixture of all colors and lights, “white” in Tibetan Thangka represents purity and immaculacy beneath earthly dirt. It contains all the colors, meaning that it encompasses all enlightened wisdom.
yellow
Purges the Poison of “Arrogance”
As a symbol of Yellow
Jambala, a Tibetan god giving wealth to the world, “yellow” symbolizes wealth and glory.
red
Purges the Poison of Greed
In human society, “fire” is the beginning of the life process. “Red” is then used to define “fire”, representing vigor and vitality. It also represents blood, death and killing. “Red” in Tibetan Thangka represents the most mysterious power of vitality endowed by nature, transcending the fear of death, driving out evil forces, and terrifying all beings.
blue
Purges the Poison of Hatred
“Blue” in Tibetan Thangka represents the power of courage, firmness, resilience, and invincibility, which helps eliminate pain and increase confidence.
green
Purges the Poison of Doubt
As the color of plants, “green” represents the thriving vitality of nature. “Green” in Tibetan Thangka represents the transforming power from the realm, fortune, and wisdom.
Unique Spiritual Power of Each Thangka Painting
Thangka paintings only select natural mineral pigments. Cinnabar, turquoise, peacock rock, realgar, coral, gold, and silver, all hidden in the excavated pigments, are brought to light through mining and grinding. These minerals make the pigments full of abundant energy and magnetic fields with considerable blessings.
Thangka paintings depict the solemn central deity, the earthly manifestation of Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Tara.
They are revered and respected by all the great monks and masters of the Tantric Buddhism, who have the supreme duty to empower the principal deity in the Thangka with special merits and immeasurable Dharma by imprinting seals and reciting mantras. The spiritual master communicates with the central deity by reciting scriptures and infuses its Buddha power into the Thangka, imbuing it with blessings. Therefore, the consecrated Thangka possesses a powerful protective function, similar to the sacred objects and relics that believers rely on for their lives and spirituality.
The Thangka Painting Method by the Holy Temple Monks
To create a Thangka painting, artists start by choosing an auspicious day, purifying themselves, burning incenses and praying.
They then use white cotton cloth stretched on a pre-made frame, making the sound of the cloth surface sound like a war drum. Animal glue and white clay is applied to fill gaps on the cloth, which is repeated numerous times for at least one month.
After that, they meditate for a day, plan and outline the picture before coloring it, which takes 3-4 months, with the color blending taking up to 1-2 years. Finally, they open the eyes, which is the most important step, taking years to complete if they lack inspiration. The eyes of the Buddha are a direct communication between the Buddha and devotees, making the Thangka a sacred object used for visualization and practice.
After that, they meditate for a day, plan and outline the picture before coloring it, which takes 3-4 months, with the color blending taking up to 1-2 years. Finally, they open the eyes, which is the most important step, taking years to complete if they lack inspiration. The eyes of the Buddha are a direct communication between the Buddha and devotees, making the Thangka a sacred object used for visualization and practice.
Creation of Tibetan Thangka Paintings
For thousands of years, Tibetan Thangka paintings serve as a unique form of art that has been an integral part of Tibetan culture. Typically made on cloth or paper, Tibetan Thangkas are used as aids in meditation and for teaching. Throughout their history, Tibetan Thangka paintings have been used to convey important religious and philosophical teachings to the Tibetan people.
The creation of Thangkas is a complex process that involves many steps, including sketching, outlining, coloring, and outlining again. The paintings are typically created by skilled artists who have undergone years of training in traditional techniques. These artists use a variety of materials, including natural pigments, gold leaf, and silk, to create intricate and detailed works of art.
Five Primary Colors of Thangka Paintings
In the most primitive Tibetan belief, “white, yellow, red, blue and green” constitute five original colors of Tibet.
Each of the five pigments hand-grinded from the raw Tibetan stones represents different meanings and powers of the unique Tibet. Each of the raw materials derives from the most natural essence of Tibet.
white
Purges the Poison of “Delusion”
As the final mixture of all colors and lights, “white” in Tibetan Thangka represents purity and immaculacy beneath earthly dirt. It contains all the colors, meaning that it encompasses all enlightened wisdom.
yellow
Purges the Poison of “Arrogance”
As a symbol of Yellow
Jambala, a Tibetan god giving wealth to the world, “yellow” symbolizes wealth and glory.
red
Purges the Poison of Greed
In human society, “fire” is the beginning of the life process. “Red” is then used to define “fire”, representing vigor and vitality. It also represents blood, death and killing. “Red” in Tibetan Thangka represents the most mysterious power of vitality endowed by nature, transcending the fear of death, driving out evil forces, and terrifying all beings.
blue
Purges the Poison of Hatred
“Blue” in Tibetan Thangka represents the power of courage, firmness, resilience, and invincibility, which helps eliminate pain and increase confidence.
green
Purges the Poison of Doubt
As the color of plants, “green” represents the thriving vitality of nature. “Green” in Tibetan Thangka represents the transforming power from the realm, fortune, and wisdom.
Unique Spiritual Power of Each Thangka Painting
Thangka paintings only select natural mineral pigments. Cinnabar, turquoise, peacock rock, realgar, coral, gold, and silver, all hidden in the excavated pigments, are brought to light through mining and grinding. These minerals make the pigments full of abundant energy and magnetic fields with considerable blessings.
Thangka paintings depict the solemn central deity, the earthly manifestation of Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Tara.
They are revered and respected by all the great monks and masters of the Tantric Buddhism, who have the supreme duty to empower the principal deity in the Thangka with special merits and immeasurable Dharma by imprinting seals and reciting mantras. The spiritual master communicates with the central deity by reciting scriptures and infuses its Buddha power into the Thangka, imbuing it with blessings. Therefore, the consecrated Thangka possesses a powerful protective function, similar to the sacred objects and relics that believers rely on for their lives and spirituality.
The Thangka Painting Method by the Holy Temple Monks
To create a Thangka painting, artists start by choosing an auspicious day, purifying themselves, burning incenses and praying.
They then use white cotton cloth stretched on a pre-made frame, making the sound of the cloth surface sound like a war drum. Animal glue and white clay is applied to fill gaps on the cloth, which is repeated numerous times for at least one month.
After that, they meditate for a day, plan and outline the picture before coloring it, which takes 3-4 months, with the color blending taking up to 1-2 years. Finally, they open the eyes, which is the most important step, taking years to complete if they lack inspiration. The eyes of the Buddha are a direct communication between the Buddha and devotees, making the Thangka a sacred object used for visualization and practice.
After that, they meditate for a day, plan and outline the picture before coloring it, which takes 3-4 months, with the color blending taking up to 1-2 years. Finally, they open the eyes, which is the most important step, taking years to complete if they lack inspiration. The eyes of the Buddha are a direct communication between the Buddha and devotees, making the Thangka a sacred object used for visualization and practice.
Creation of Tibetan Thangka Paintings
For thousands of years, Tibetan Thangka paintings serve as a unique form of art that has been an integral part of Tibetan culture. Typically made on cloth or paper, Tibetan Thangkas are used as aids in meditation and for teaching. Throughout their history, Tibetan Thangka paintings have been used to convey important religious and philosophical teachings to the Tibetan people.
The creation of Thangkas is a complex process that involves many steps, including sketching, outlining, coloring, and outlining again. The paintings are typically created by skilled artists who have undergone years of training in traditional techniques. These artists use a variety of materials, including natural pigments, gold leaf, and silk, to create intricate and detailed works of art.
Five Primary Colors of Thangka Paintings
In the most primitive Tibetan belief, “white, yellow, red, blue and green” constitute five original colors of Tibet.
Each of the five pigments hand-grinded from the raw Tibetan stones represents different meanings and powers of the unique Tibet. Each of the raw materials derives from the most natural essence of Tibet.
white
Purges the Poison of “Delusion”
As the final mixture of all colors and lights, “white” in Tibetan Thangka represents purity and immaculacy beneath earthly dirt. It contains all the colors, meaning that it encompasses all enlightened wisdom.
yellow
Purges the Poison of “Arrogance”
As a symbol of Yellow
Jambala, a Tibetan god giving wealth to the world, “yellow” symbolizes wealth and glory.
red
Purges the Poison of Greed
In human society, “fire” is the beginning of the life process. “Red” is then used to define “fire”, representing vigor and vitality. It also represents blood, death and killing. “Red” in Tibetan Thangka represents the most mysterious power of vitality endowed by nature, transcending the fear of death, driving out evil forces, and terrifying all beings.
blue
Purges the Poison of Hatred
“Blue” in Tibetan Thangka represents the power of courage, firmness, resilience, and invincibility, which helps eliminate pain and increase confidence.
green
Purges the Poison of Doubt
As the color of plants, “green” represents the thriving vitality of nature. “Green” in Tibetan Thangka represents the transforming power from the realm, fortune, and wisdom.
Unique Spiritual Power of Each Thangka Painting
Thangka paintings only select natural mineral pigments. Cinnabar, turquoise, peacock rock, realgar, coral, gold, and silver, all hidden in the excavated pigments, are brought to light through mining and grinding. These minerals make the pigments full of abundant energy and magnetic fields with considerable blessings.
Thangka paintings depict the solemn central deity, the earthly manifestation of Buddha, Bodhisattva, and Tara.
They are revered and respected by all the great monks and masters of the Tantric Buddhism, who have the supreme duty to empower the principal deity in the Thangka with special merits and immeasurable Dharma by imprinting seals and reciting mantras. The spiritual master communicates with the central deity by reciting scriptures and infuses its Buddha power into the Thangka, imbuing it with blessings. Therefore, the consecrated Thangka possesses a powerful protective function, similar to the sacred objects and relics that believers rely on for their lives and spirituality.
The Thangka Painting Method by the Holy Temple Monks
To create a Thangka painting, artists start by choosing an auspicious day, purifying themselves, burning incenses and praying.
They then use white cotton cloth stretched on a pre-made frame, making the sound of the cloth surface sound like a war drum. Animal glue and white clay is applied to fill gaps on the cloth, which is repeated numerous times for at least one month.
After that, they meditate for a day, plan and outline the picture before coloring it, which takes 3-4 months, with the color blending taking up to 1-2 years. Finally, they open the eyes, which is the most important step, taking years to complete if they lack inspiration. The eyes of the Buddha are a direct communication between the Buddha and devotees, making the Thangka a sacred object used for visualization and practice.
After that, they meditate for a day, plan and outline the picture before coloring it, which takes 3-4 months, with the color blending taking up to 1-2 years. Finally, they open the eyes, which is the most important step, taking years to complete if they lack inspiration. The eyes of the Buddha are a direct communication between the Buddha and devotees, making the Thangka a sacred object used for visualization and practice.
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