History of the Thangka.

How old is the history of the Thangka?

the history of the Thangka can be traced back to the 7th century, the Songtsen or Gampo period.

What does 'Thangka' mean?

The word consists out of two parts. the word 'Thang', What means 'unroll' or 'open', and 'ka', what means 'show' or 'exhibit'. 'Thangka' means 'silk' or 'satin' or 'on cotton painted roll'.

What are the subjects on a Thangka?

Thangka's are painted with different subjects. They have historical subjects, personal stories like marriages and births, Tibetan customs mythical stories and images of deities and buddha's. Also paintings for medical purpose, astrology and herbs.

What kind of paint is being used?

Thangka's are painted with self made acrylic paint. It is made from Yak skin to make glue, and pigments of stone, precious stone and gold and silver. The modern commercial Thangka's aren't painted with the more expensive gem stone pigments like blue turkois. Gold is still being used a lot.

Watch more stories and pictures on sites we link to.

Buddham Sharanam Gachami
Dhamam Sharanam Gachami
Sangham Sharanam Gachami