Art UK has updated its cookies policy. By using this website you are agreeing to the use of cookies. To find out more read our updated Use of Cookies policy and our updated Privacy policy.

Attributes of Pañjaranātha, the Tent Protector, in a 'Rgyan Tshogs' Banner

Image credit: Wellcome Collection

How you can use this image

Public Domain

This image has been assigned a Public Domain Mark and is free to use with unrestricted use.

Please acknowledge the Collection who own the work with a photo credit — this helps spread the word about their resources.

To learn more about images and rights, please see our image use page.

Download

Notes

Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.

The banner honours Pañjaranātha (in Tibetan, Gonpo Gur). Pañjaranātha is one of the most important aspects of Mahākāla (a category of Tantric Buddhist deity), propitiated (appeased) above all in the protector chapels of the Sakyapa order. Along the top edge of the banner, three flayed human hides are depicted with the head and arms hanging downwards. Interspersed between them are various human viscera and eyes on stalks. A garland of entrails divides this part of the banner from the main section below, where an ornate blue tent symbolises the black head of Pañjaranātha, flanked by two disk-shaped earrings and surmounted by a crown of five skulls, from each of which protrudes a wish-fulfilling jewel.

Wellcome Collection

London

Title

Attributes of Pañjaranātha, the Tent Protector, in a 'Rgyan Tshogs' Banner

Medium

distemper on linen

Measurements

H 62 x W 47 cm

Accession number

47089i

Acquisition method

presumed to be part of the collection formed by Henry S. Wellcome

Work type

Banner

Tags

This artwork does not have any tags yet. You can help by tagging artworks on Tagger.

Wellcome Collection

183 Euston Road, London, Greater London NW1 2BE England

This venue is open to the public. Not all artworks are on display. If you want to see a particular artwork, please contact the venue.
View venue