Wood Painting
| In Tibet, painting was both a sacred art used in the creation of thangkas and also a decorative one, used to ornament furniture and the walls of houses. While the uses of each are very different, the Tibetan aesthetic remains relatively consistent and easy to recognize in both religious and decorative art. Images and designs are highly stylized, with vibrant colors standing out on flat surfaces. While not a sacred art, Tibetan decorative art draws deeply from Tibet’s rich Buddhist tradition, often employing religious iconography such as the Eight Auspicious Symbols, the Five Offerings, and the Eight Precious Substances. Even many animals and landscape elements are considered religious significance, and it is believed to be good luck to fill your house and walls with such auspicious symbols of good luck. |
Tibet boasts a widely diverse repertoire of decorative designs and images. The Tibetan Plateau, once a bustling hub of trade along the Silk Road, connected China with Central Asia and India. This trade route brought not only goods but also new techniques and designs, creating a cross-pollination of cultures. This cultural exchange enriched Tibet in many ways, particularly in its decorative arts. Tibetan artistic tradition features a variety of images and motifs, borrowed from lands spanning from China to Rome and Egypt, but portrayed in their own uniquely Tibetan way. Geometric designs from Central Asia find their place beside Indian birds and Chinese flowers, a testament to the deeply layered nature of Tibetan culture