Origin of Tibet Thangka

Introduction of Tibet Thangka

Thangka, which is similar with scroll painting, is often draw on cloth or paper, decorated by silk, and with delicate pivot bracket at the down side. After the Thangka decorated, Tibetans will invite Lama to chant sutras for it stamp the handprint on behind of it. It is very complex to draw Thangka, and the materials are very special. The pigments of Thangka are natural ore plant materials, which color are very bright and will not fade after a long time, and with rich snowy style. The content of Thangka most are Tibet religion, history, culture, art and science and so on, which embodies the belief and wisdom of Tibetan, records Tibetan's civilization, history and development, expresses Tibetans special emotion to Buddha and special love to their snow-covered hometown.

Origin of Tibet Thangka

It is said that the first Thangka in Tibet was drew by Songtsen Gampo.

Due to the limitation of nature and history, the origin of Tibet Thangka can not be proved. According to legends, Songtsen Gampo painted the portrait of Blam with his nose blood after he got the first hint of god. That's the first Thangka in Tibet. It is said that this Thangka was hidden in the belly of Blam Portrait by Guozuxi Living Buddha. These legends can be regarded as proof for scientific research. With reference to painting art, the earliest Thangka can trace back to Karo New Stone age. Until Tubo Kingdom, the painting art is becoming perfect. As the extension of fresco, Thangka appeared before the middle of 7th century at latest. The earliest period Thangka can not be found as for persecution of Buddhism. The exist Thangka, except small amount of works in Song and Yuan dynasties, most are the works in the period of fifth Dalai.

The Thangka before the period of fifth Dalai is the fragment works which offered by folk painters. Since the fifth Dalai, there set up the institution which similar with studio, and the creation of Thangka came into specialized creation period. In the period of seventh Dalai, there set up "Laribaiji Club" which is official style studio. This action greatly promoted the development of Tibet Thangka. There appeared many schools about Thangka drawing.

Due to the universality of Buddhism, all Thangka are full of rich religious color. Thangka is precious thing in Tibetan life. The Thangka is the representative of Tibetan art, which is valuable for art and collection.