The carpet represents the dorsal view of a flayed man (g.yang gzhi). Like the previous example, it may have been used as a mat for Tantric offerings, as a seat for Tantric meditations, or in some other ritual context involving worship of the protector deities. The carpet is unusual in its presentation of the skin from the dorsal view. The head is pulled onto the back and the posterior is drawn out to display the genitals. The figure bears a thick head of hair, as well as full eyebrows, beard and a trimmed goatee. The carpet displays striking similarities to depictions of human corpses trampled beneath the feet of wrathful and protector deities in Tibetan paintings and sculpture. Rene de Nebesky-Wojkowitz describes a tantric ceremony intended to induce the four armed Mahakala to kill an enemy. He notes that the priest’s first action was to place on the ritual table a human or tiger skin, thought to ensure the efficacy of the rite.