<p>This is most likely a Tibetan <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thangka" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Thanka</a> which depicts 3 "levels". Based on the depictions, it's probably <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Vajrayana</a>, specifically <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelug" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Gelug-pa</a>, lit. "yellow hats" - this is the Tibetan Buddhist branch to which the Dalai Lama belongs.</p>

<p>The top level depicts the Buddha surrounded by females, most likely <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakini" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dakini</a>.</p>

<p>The central level depicts 3 people with a very recognizable <a href="https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3SAbRmxF9Xpd-VHDs4wA13zZ18M=/300x474/filters:no_upscale()/dalailamayellowhat-56a0c4523df78cafdaa4d658.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer">yellow hat</a>, so probably they are  <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulku" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Tulku</a>, possibly the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_Lamas" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Dalai Lama</a> in the center, the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchen_Lama" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Panchen Lama</a> and the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samding_Dorje_Phagmo" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Samding Dorje Pagmo</a> or <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karmapa" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Karmapa</a>. They are depicted as slightly above the world since they are considered reincarnations of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Bodhisattva</a></p>

<p>The building in the bottom section could be a depiction of the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potala_Palace" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Potala</a>.</p>

<p>The two figures depicted in the bottom section are most likely high monks, but I can't think of any specific persons or roles for these.</p>

<p>The many occurences of Green, Red, Blue, Yellow and White refer to <a href="https://www.tibettravel.org/tibetan-buddhism/meanings-of-colors-in-tibet.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Pancha-Varna</a></p>

<p>As for the age of the painting, it's very difficult to tell, as iconography in Tibetan Buddhist art has changed very little in the last few hundred years.</p>

<p>You might enjoy this video on <a href="https://asiasociety.org/new-york/guide-decoding-buddhist-symbolism-tibetan-art" rel="nofollow noreferrer">decoding symbolism in Thanka</a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-21T10:51:03.313Z
May be the bottom figures depict offering of bare necessities of a monk (Civara = robes, Pindapata = alms-food, Senasana = monasteries, Gilanapratya = medications) to Dalai Lama. I cannot see the top level Buddha as Dakini. I suppose that depicts Amitābha Buddha because of Samadhi mudra, and the appearance of begging bowl. But the color of the Buddha doesn't support that interpretation.
Damith
CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-20T13:08:15.457Z
2019-01-20T13:08:15.457Z
Codosaur
<p>This was a birthday gift I received a couple of weeks ago.  I'm trying to figure out where it came from, what the images mean, and about how old it is.  It's at least a hundred years old. <a href="https://i.sstatic.net/q8fQb.jpg" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.sstatic.net/q8fQb.jpg" alt="wall art scroll"></a></p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2019-01-19T03:52:18.223Z
Consider asking here: https://dharmawheel.net/
Dhamma Dhatu
<art>
Need to know more about this art
# Need to know more about this art

(Asked by: username_0 on 2019-01-17)

This was a birthday gift I received a couple of weeks ago. I'm trying to figure out where it came from, what the images mean, and about how old it is. It's at least a hundred years old. [![wall art scroll](https://i.sstatic.net/q8fQb.jpg)](https://i.sstatic.net/q8fQb.jpg)

**Tags:** art

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Consider asking here: https://dharmawheel.net/  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2019-01-20. Score: 2

This is most likely a Tibetan [Thanka](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thangka) which depicts 3 "levels". Based on the depictions, it's probably [Vajrayana](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vajrayana), specifically [Gelug-pa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gelug), lit. "yellow hats" - this is the Tibetan Buddhist branch to which the Dalai Lama belongs.

The top level depicts the Buddha surrounded by females, most likely [Dakini](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dakini).

The central level depicts 3 people with a very recognizable [yellow hat](https://www.thoughtco.com/thmb/3SAbRmxF9Xpd-VHDs4wA13zZ18M=/300x474/filters:no_upscale()/dalailamayellowhat-56a0c4523df78cafdaa4d658.jpg), so probably they are [Tulku](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulku), possibly the [Dalai Lama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dalai_Lamas) in the center, the [Panchen Lama](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panchen_Lama) and the [Samding Dorje Pagmo](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Samding_Dorje_Phagmo) or [Karmapa](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karmapa). They are depicted as slightly above the world since they are considered reincarnations of [Bodhisattva](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bodhisattva)

The building in the bottom section could be a depiction of the [Potala](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potala_Palace).

The two figures depicted in the bottom section are most likely high monks, but I can't think of any specific persons or roles for these.

The many occurences of Green, Red, Blue, Yellow and White refer to [Pancha-Varna](https://www.tibettravel.org/tibetan-buddhism/meanings-of-colors-in-tibet.html)

As for the age of the painting, it's very difficult to tell, as iconography in Tibetan Buddhist art has changed very little in the last few hundred years.

You might enjoy this video on [decoding symbolism in Thanka](https://asiasociety.org/new-york/guide-decoding-buddhist-symbolism-tibetan-art)

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: May be the bottom figures depict offering of bare necessities of a monk (Civara = robes, Pindapata = alms-food, Senasana = monasteries, Gilanapratya = medications) to Dalai Lama. I cannot see the top level Buddha as Dakini. I suppose that depicts Amitābha Buddha because of Samadhi mudra, and the appearance of begging bowl. But the color of the Buddha doesn't support that interpretation.  

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