In the centre of the painting is a black triangle surrounded by flames. The apex of the triangle is at the bottom, pointing downward in the manner of a phur pa (ritual dagger) used for fighting demons. The triangle may represent the triangular hearth (Tibetan thab khun or hearth hole) used in the 'burnt offering' ceremony (Sanskrit homa, Tibetan sbyin sreg). There are four kinds of burnt offering: pacification, enrichment, subjugation, and wrath. For each type, the hearth has a different shape, and in the case of the burnt offerings of wrath, it is triangular. Within the triangle is a 16-leaved blue lotus with the syllable hriḥ written in golden script on the eight inner leaves. The centre contains the syllable om. Above the triangle with the lotus, there are three birds: a garuda, a golden eagle and a black eagle.