Composition Forms of Thangka: Rich and Colorful

Composition Forms of Thangka: Rich and Colorful The composition forms of Thangka are very rich. Painting masters often design different composition forms according to different themes. Common forms include: Three-realm Composition Method, Central Composition Method, Five-altar Composition Method, Genre Painting Composition Method, and Mandala Painting Composition Method.

The Three-realm Composition Method generally divides the picture into three parts: upper, middle, and lower, representing heaven, the human world, and hell respectively. The middle part is usually the object worshipped by believers, such as the statue of Sakyamuni. Above the statue is the space realm, also known as the sacred realm, where Buddhas and Bodhisattvas are painted. The central Buddha in the space realm is called "Dingyan", and the main deity is a subordinate of this Buddha; the middle part is the human world, also known as the mortal realm, where dakinis, protectors, and monks are painted; the lower part is the underworld, also known as hell, where rakshasas and other ghosts are painted. In Thangka, the distinction between the sacred and mortal realms is not very strict, but the form of this three-realm composition is relatively stable.

The Central Composition Method is the simplest and most common one in figure Thangkas. It takes the main figure as the center and develops the plot in all directions (up, down, left, and right). The content of the picture has a clear hierarchy, and the structure is full and even. The central figure of this composition method occupies an open position in the picture, and the surrounding figures and scenes are arranged in balance. No matter how rich and varied they are, they only occupy a very small position. Therefore, the whole picture looks magnificent, with rich content but not chaotic.

The Five-altar Composition Method, like the Central Composition Method, takes the main deity as the center. The difference is that the Five-altar Composition Method includes a total of five altars including the main deity, so it is also called the "Five-altar" gathering. Specifically, the central main deity is "one altar", and each of the four corners (upper, lower, left, and right) of the main deity is another altar.

The Genre Painting Composition Method is often used in biographical or story-type Thangkas. It can concentrate one story or several plot segments in one picture, unaffected by time, space, and perspective. Therefore, this composition method is often used in some large-scale Thangkas, and their pictures can generally reach dozens or even hundreds of square meters, which is very spectacular.

The Mandala Painting Composition is a structure formed by layers of circular and square geometric shapes nested from the outside to the inside. The pattern structure is complex, using both abstract and concrete techniques. It is a very difficult painting method, and generally only painters with superb skills and rich religious knowledge can create it.