With a history of over 1,000 years, thangkas are one of the most well-known Tibetan art forms. The influence of Nepalese art is obvious in their early development, and later the ornate style of traditional Chinese paintings became very influential. Used by traveling monks and ordinary people as a tool for communicating with the gods, it is highly admired not only for its practical function but also its unique beauty and craftsmanship. Shoppers in Beijing have a unique opportunity to check out some exquisite thangkas the amazing shops in the city. So get on board with a Beijing China tour!
Thangkas are a type of scroll painting that can be easily rolled up for storage. Most thangkas are either hung on the wall of a house or carried by a monk or traveler when moving around to different places. Because Tibetans are traditionally a nomadic people who are also deeply religious, they need an easy-to-carry item like a thangka to help them communicate with gods on their journeys.
Thangkas often depict prominent figures of Buddhism, like the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and other gods, but sometimes they only show items like the Buddhist Wheel of Life. In the background of most thangkas, scenes from the life of the Buddha or important historical events are shown. People who study these images can learn the teachings of Buddhism and enhance their spiritual experience.
The profound symbolism of a finely made thangka may have thousands of bits of information contained in the color, clothing, and positions of the figures that enable a Buddhist to learn the teachings of Buddhism by examining the overall image. A commonly item you'll see is the Wheel of Life, a form of 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": "Bris-Tang" refers to thangkas that are painted. There are five specific types in this category: Multi-Colored, Gold Background, Vermilion Background, Black Background, and Block Printing "Bris-Tang."
"Go-Tang": "Go-Tang" is the name for thangkas that are made with silk and adorned with embroidery. This category also has five specific types: 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.
When in Beijing, check out the beautiful, authentic thangkas in many of the city's shops. For shoppers unfamiliar with the local business, it's best to find a Beijing tour guide to help with the shopping.
Thangkas are a type of scroll painting that can be easily rolled up for storage. Most thangkas are either hung on the wall of a house or carried by a monk or traveler when moving around to different places. Because Tibetans are traditionally a nomadic people who are also deeply religious, they need an easy-to-carry item like a thangka to help them communicate with gods on their journeys.
Thangkas often depict prominent figures of Buddhism, like the Buddha, bodhisattvas, and other gods, but sometimes they only show items like the Buddhist Wheel of Life. In the background of most thangkas, scenes from the life of the Buddha or important historical events are shown. People who study these images can learn the teachings of Buddhism and enhance their spiritual experience.
The profound symbolism of a finely made thangka may have thousands of bits of information contained in the color, clothing, and positions of the figures that enable a Buddhist to learn the teachings of Buddhism by examining the overall image. A commonly item you'll see is the Wheel of Life, a form of 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": "Bris-Tang" refers to thangkas that are painted. There are five specific types in this category: Multi-Colored, Gold Background, Vermilion Background, Black Background, and Block Printing "Bris-Tang."
"Go-Tang": "Go-Tang" is the name for thangkas that are made with silk and adorned with embroidery. This category also has five specific types: 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.
When in Beijing, check out the beautiful, authentic thangkas in many of the city's shops. For shoppers unfamiliar with the local business, it's best to find a Beijing tour guide to help with the shopping.
About the Author:
A. Lao writes about Chinese arts and crafts. He assists a Beijing tour guide who helps tourists find unique Chinese items. Sometimes he personally tailors Beijing tours.
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