Temple banner

Tibet

early 19th century

Silk brocade, damask, and appliqué

Minneapolis Institute of Art

A Tibetan temple banner features a central red, dragon-like face with white accents and horns, set against a dark background. Below the face, multiple colorful silk streamers hang vertically, adorned with intricate patterns and tassels. The Tibetan priesthood extensively used imported silks from China to decorate their monasteries. Temple interiors were exceptionally colorful with their silk canopies, banners, and altar frontals. This banner is typical of those that were suspended from pillars or hung from roof brackets in image rooms and lecture halls. The lower section, made from several different types of silk fragments, has such auspicious Chinese motifs as dragons, clouds, bats, and lotus flowers. Like most Tibetan banners, however, the top is dominated by a large stylized lion mask in silk appliqué. This angry manifestation protects both Buddhist doctrine and