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Metal and Stone Vestiges
Religion, Magic and Protection in the Art of Ancient Tibet

Image 5b

This red ochre pictograph portrays what appears to be a horned khyung with a wild herbivore above. This painting seems to date to the early Buddhist period. The large tail, outstretched wings, and upturned wing tips of the khyung are reminiscent of thokcha designs, although these do not usually have the long neck shown in this pictographic specimen. The wild sheep-like animal in the composition has an unusual placement in that it is typically the khyung that occupies the highest position in rock art or Buddhist paintings.

all text & images © John Vincent Bellezza


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