The ancient and sacred art of thangka painting is a vital part of cultural heritage throughout the Himalayan region. Far more than striking works of art, this beautiful expression of Tibetan Buddhist philosophies is often referred to as the “roadmap to enlightenment.” Thangka art is found not only in temples and shrines but family homes, too, anywhere that Buddhist practice and meditation is undertaken.
The traditional thangka art form is thought to originate from Nepal more than 1,000 years ago, and in varying forms is found throughout Central Asia. Illustrative style draws inspiration from Nepal, Kashmir, and, in terms of landscape, from China. It was in the 7th century that thangka was introduced to Tibet with the marriage of Nepal’s Princess Bhrituti to the Tibetan King Songtsen Gampo, and here it flourished as monks and lamas used the iconographic artworks to interpret the Buddhist Dharma teachings. Due to their scroll style, the paintings could be rolled up and taken from monasteries to villages and nomadic communities. Indeed “thangka” is the Tibetan word for “something rolled up.” A touring lama could easily unroll his thangka and refer to its details to illustrate his message. Thangka served well as a pictorial lesson for those who could not read or write printed script.
Thangka iconography is extensive and varied and certainly, includes far more than portraits of Buddha’s life story. A frequent scene is the Wheel of Life, depicting the menacing Yama, god of death, clutching the cycle of life, death, rebirth, and suffering. Peaceful scenes feature divinities gathered along branches of a cosmic tree; symbolic visions thought to occur during the state between death and rebirth. Complex, mathematical mandalas symbolizing representations of the universe are commonly used for meditation practice.
Making a thangka
Beyond the spiritual and cultural significance, thangka painting itself is a complex format based on precision. The art of thangka-making is a highly skilled technique that masters have passed onto their students for centuries. It may be painted or embroidered onto fabric, usually cotton, or silk, for particularly eminent pieces. To accurately draw the figures and mandalas in a thangka, the artist must produce exact proportions and measurements as established by Buddhist iconography. There is little room for deviation from accepted styles; use of an intricate grid is a must for artists to obtain correct proportions and continuity.
Traditional thangkas are commonly portrait and rectangular. The base layer fabric is stretched on a frame and treated with a lime-wash mixture. Once dried, the thickened fabric is then rubbed with a conch shell to create a smooth and shiny surface that will absorb the finest of detail.
Traditionally, outlines of the figures are first drawn in charcoal or graphite and then filled in with color, usually with mineral or vegetable dye. The five basic colors of white, black, yellow, red, and green have different meanings. White symbolizes rest, peace and wisdom, black represents killing and anger, red indicates subjugation and passion, yellow denotes restraint and nourishment, and green is the color of activity and accomplishment.
Predominant feature colors include vibrant crimson and scarlet reds, sky blue and blue-green, indigo, and a gold finish is often used for backgrounds and ornaments. Depending on the size of the thangka, detailed shading, color gradation and outlining is a lengthy step in the process that can, overall, take even the most experienced artist hundreds of hours to complete.
The final touch is a protective silk layer. Some thangkas are also framed with a silk brocade border and dowels are attached at the top and bottom, featuring metal or wooden decorative knobs. A small silk inset in the lower brocade border is considered the door of the thangka and represents the source of all creation.
Thangka is, above all, a means of inspiration and expression of religious truth, reflecting the power of Buddha’s enlightenment, not artistic licence. As such, few paintings are signed. Its goal is to assist the observer with meditation and attainment of spiritualization.
Unfortunately, today the thangka tradition is suffering challenges. Modern thangka artists are struggling to earn a living. Since the Nepal earthquake of 2015, tourism has fallen. The price of gold is forever rising and many artists have been forced to use gold alternatives. Hand-painted thangkas are being machine-printed and mass produced. To honor and prevent this ancient and sacred tradition from perishing, master artisans need our support. Whether it’s displayed for inspiration, meditation, or decoration, an authentic thangka is a beautiful means of engaging with the spiritual wisdom of Himalayan culture.
