The Encyclopedia of Tibetan Symbols and MotifsThis study of the sacred art of Tibet is the result of eight years of brush drawing, and a lifetime spent researching and reflecting upon the inner and often hidden meanings and origins encapsulated in this complex iconographical tradition. Several thousand individual drawings arranged as a series of 170 pages illustrate the many variations in style, lineages and individual expression of these objects. The text interweaves the origins, meanings and functions of these symbols, derived from India, Tibet and China, into a comprehensive tapestry within a Buddhist conceptual framework. |
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animals arises arrow auspicious banner base blade blue bodhichitta bodhisattva body bowl Buddhist central channel centre chakra Chakrasamvara chakravartin Chinese clouds coloured commonly conch shell corpse crown damaru deity's described dharmachakra disc divine dragon drawing depicts drawing shows earth eight elephant emanate emblem enlightenment fire Five Buddha flaming four garuda goddess gold golden half-vajra hand head heart Hindu illustrated Indian inner iron jewel Kalachakra khatvanga knot known lotus lower Mahakala makara mandala moon Mt Meru mudra nagas offering ornaments Padmasambhava painted Palden petals phurba Plate precious prongs realms represents right corner ring ritual sacred shaft Shakyamuni Shiva silk skull skull-cup snake spirits stupa sword syllable symbol symbolises Tantra tantric thangkas third drawing Tibet Tibetan art tion torma tradition tree triangular trident upper usually vajra Vajrakilaya Vajrayana vase vishvavajra weapon wheel wind wisdom wooden wrathful deities yellow yidam