Dharmapala Thangka CentreSchool of Thangka Painting

Handling of Thangka Covers

Thanka paintings are covered by a gossamer thin sheet of yellow silk (Tib.: zhal-khebs) that protects it from dust and from the smoke of the butter lamps in Tibetan monasteries. They also have two silk ribbons that traditionally are used to tie the rolled scroll.

Am oberen Endes des Thangka sind zwei dünne, rote Schnüre befestigt. An einer Schnur wird das Rollbild aufgehängt, die andere dient der Befestigung des Gazeschleiers aus Seide, wenn er während der Pujas nach oben gezogen wird.

First Step

Thangka Brocade

To display the Thanka the protective covering is gathered at the top and held with one of the two strings there, and the ribbons are placed in front of the painting. This is done according to the following five steps:

Second Step

Thangka Brocade

Starting at the bottom and continuing to the top, fold the cover in a zigzag pattern (/\/\/\/\) two/three finger-width parts.

Do not roll the cover up !

Third Step

Thangka Brocade

Be sure the second string is in front of the silk cover.

Fourth Step

Thangka Brocade

Pull the middle third of the folded cov

Fifth Step

Thangka Brocade

Pull this gathered cover down several inches in front of the string, so that the single folds are visible. Arrange the silk to form an attractive pattern of folds. Place the two ribbons infront.


Thangka Brocade

Finished draped thangka