A Tibetan art form bridges the past and present and connects cultures around the world.
Thangka, a unique form of Tibetan sacred painting, is gaining prominence globally due to its vibrant colors, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound religious and cultural significance. With the acceleration of globalization, this symbol of Tibetan culture that combines artistic expression with spirituality has become a bridge for cultural exchange between the East and the West. Recently, China Today spoke to Yixi Puncog, art collector and council member of the China Association for Preservation and Development of Tibetan Culture, to learn more about Thangka art, its role in international exchange, and how it is enhancing China’s cultural soft power.
A 200-meter-long and 1.8-meter-wide Thangka painting depicting ancient Tubo kings, the end product of the cooperation of more than 30 Tibetan painters over several years.
Artistic Appeal
Like any other painting style, an outstanding Thangka is a masterful combination of colors, lines, and composition. Yixi explained that in Thangka, colors carry profound sacred and cultural symbolism. For example, red indicates authority and majesty, while white represents purity and sanctity. Lines are the soul of a Thangka, giving the artwork vitality, texture, and full-dimensional depth. The symmetrical composition follows strict rules, such as those set in the 18th-century classic Pattern Book for Measurements in Image-Making, creating a clear hierarchy and orderly structure.
Being well versed in the various schools of Thangka painting, Yixi pointed out that the Manthang School is known for its attention to fine details, such as elaborately portrayed facial expressions and costumes. The Chinze School is particularly renowned for its depiction of angry deities, while the Gama Gazi School includes elements of Han Chinese culture from the inland, such as background landscapes and blank space to convey a sense of tranquility and layers of meaning. The style of earlier Thangkas is simpler yet elegant, and the works are valuable for their rarity.
According to Yixi, the quality of a Thangka is determined by fine details. When looking at a Thangka, he first examines whether the lines are even and fluid, without broken or unsteady strokes; then he looks to see whether the color scheme effectively conveys the theme and ambiance of the painting; third, he examines whether the figures’ facial expressions and clothing details are realistic and dynamic; and finally, he inspects whether the overall composition of the painting is balanced, with appropriate proportions for various elements. All of these aspects reveal the artist’s creative and technical skill.
The value of Thangka lies not only in its artistic appeal but also its historical and cultural significance. This art form documents the sacred beliefs, social life, historical events, and much more about Xizang, thereby providing invaluable materials for the study of Tibetan history. Its rich cultural connotations reflect Tibetan people’s distinctive understanding of the universe, life, and religion. As a collector himself, Yixi said, when collecting Thangkas, one should take into full account the artistic, historical, and cultural factors of a piece of artwork. A Thangka with deep historical roots and rich cultural connotations is a collector’s item, even if its artistic expression is relatively simple.
A youth delegation from the State of Utah in the United States are learning about Thangka art in Tongren, Huangnan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture in Qinghai Province, on June 13, 2025.
International Exchange
At international exhibitions, a Thangka can captivate a global audience with its unique artistic style and profound cultural significance. Speaking from his years of curatorial experience, Yixi believes that Thangka plays a vital role in cultural exchange as a cultural bridge connecting different countries and peoples.
“For example, at an exhibition on Tibetan culture and art in Paris, Thangkas attracted many French visitors. They carefully examined each piece and asked staff questions about them, gaining a deeper understanding of Tibetan culture. Such exchanges also strengthened the friendship between the peoples of China and France,” recalled Yixi. “Similarly, at a Thangka-themed exhibition during a Sino-Japanese cultural exchange event, Thangka artists and their Japanese peers compared notes on artistic techniques and creative experiences. This mutual learning set an example for cultural exchange and friendly relations between the two countries,” he added.
For international audiences, the most interesting thing about Thangka is its mystical Buddhist themes and distinctive artistic style. “They are drawn by the sense of novelty and mystery in the depictions of Buddhas, bodhisattvas, and protector deities. Details such as the postures, hand gestures, and ritual objects all pique their curiosity. By answering these questions, we can help them gradually understand Tibetan people’s religious beliefs and cultural traditions. Thangka’s distinctive artistic style — vibrant colors, delicate lines, and striking compositions — differs greatly from Western painting. This is another reason why it captures their attention,” Yixi explained.
“Thangka transcends language and cultural barriers. In its dialogue and exchange with Western art forms, it imparts the essence of Tibetan culture, promotes mutual learning and inspiration among artists and audiences worldwide, and thereby enhances cross-cultural understanding and respect,” Yixi said.
With the proliferation of the Internet, international exchange around Thangka has become more convenient and extensive. Many Thangka artists and collectors now use online platforms to display and promote their works, allowing more people around the world to discover and appreciate this art form. Meanwhile, online courses and lectures provide opportunities for people anywhere in the world to study Thangka art, further advancing its global reach.
Visitors to the Eighth China (Beijing) International Buddhist Items & Supplies Expo, held in November 2024, are buying Thangkas.
Contemporary Mission
Thangkas showcase the diversity and richness of Chinese culture, and can play a pivotal role in enhancing China’s cultural soft power.
In Yixi’s view, the international exhibitions and cultural exchange activities centered around Thangkas present a positive, inclusive, and diverse Chinese culture to the world. For example, Thangka provides a window for the international community to understand China’s ethnic and religious policies, its efforts in preserving cultural diversity, promoting ethnic unity, and fostering religious harmony, and the achievements it has made in these areas. This in turn helps enhance global understanding and support of China’s policies. Moreover, the success of international exchanges around Thangka art can offer valuable experience for the dissemination of other Chinese cultural and artistic forms, and prove the strong vitality and appeal of traditional Chinese culture. Together they will contribute to the development of world cultures.
Thangka art is not only an artistic treasure but also a cultural ambassador. As it continues to shine on the world stage, its contribution to cultural exchange and preservation will continue to flourish.
