Meaning and Nature

1. Thangka literally means “scroll to be unrolled.”
2. A Tibetan Buddhist scroll painting.
3. Used as a tool for meditation, teaching, and ritual practice.
4. Not decorative art; it is a sacred visual language.
5. Governed by strict iconographic and proportional rules.

Materials and Technique

1. Base made of cotton canvas.
2. Canvas prepared with a coating of chalk and glue.
3. Pigments used include mineral pigments.
4. Organic colours such as saffron reds are applied.
5. Turquoise blues commonly used for detailing and symbolism.