White Tara Thangka (Finished finally!)

Started: October 10, 2010

Finished: August 4, 2015

Number of hours: 558 hours

Techniques: Tambourwork, Ajour embroidery, surface embroidery

Materials: cotton evenweave fabric, Husi silk fabric, silk and  rayon threads, metallic and polyester threads, cotton threads

Dimensions: 68 cm wide x 88 cm high

The White Tara embroidered thangka’s main design is based on a work by Tibetan thangka painting master Migmar Tsering. I mainly used the Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer for the details and meanings.

Embroidered Thangka

More details and close-ups:

The eight auspicious substances

The right hand giving the boon-granting mudra, the left hand the mudra of giving refuge.

The White Tara holds a lotus, which grows from the dark murky lakes but remains pure.

The red sun symbolizes the feminine aspect of wisdom, while the white moon represents the male aspect of method or compassion.

For those interested to see the back part.

Selfie on sisha glass

I am not Tibetan, nor am I a practicing Buddhist, but I read texts on Buddhist philosophy and way of life.

I wonder what unfinished project will be completed next.  ^_^