Types

Based on technique and material, thangkas can be grouped by types. Generally, they are divided into two broad categories: those that are painted (Tib.) bris-tan—and those made of silk, either by appliqué or embroidery.

Thangkas are further divided into these more specific categories:

Ø  Painted in colors (Tib.) tson-tang—the most common type

Ø  Appliqué (Tib.) go-tang

Ø  Black Background—meaning gold line on a black background (Tib.) nagtang

Ø  Blockprints—paper or cloth outlined renderings, by woodcut woodblock printing

Ø  Embroidery (Tib.) tsem-thang

Ø  Gold Background—an auspicious treatment, used judiciously for peaceful, long-life deities and fully enlightened buddhas

Ø  Red Background—literally gold line, but referring to gold line on a vermillion (Tib.) mar-tang

Whereas typical thangkas are fairly small, between about 18 and 30 inches tall or wide, there are also giant festival thangkas, usually Appliqué, and designed to be unrolled against a wall in a monastery for particular religious occasions. These are likely to be wider than they are tall, and may be sixty or more feet across and perhaps twenty or more high.