Iconography Main Page

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Deities: Multi-coloured Outline
- How to Identify a Deity (Outline)
- What are the Colours? (Outline)
- Colours & Activities
- Masterworks
- Confusions
- Others...

Multi-coloured Deities:
- Chakrasamvara/Yogini: four intermediate direction retinue figures
- Dakarnava
- Hevajra: the Goddess Dombini
- Jambhala (Katog Tradition)
- Jambhala (Traba Ngonshe)
- Kalachakra
- Kandro'i Tsomo Che Chang Mar
- Nagaraja Buddha
- Shabala Garuda
- Tagla Membar: Rainbow Goddess retinue figure
- Vajravega
- Zhangzhung Meri
- Others...

Vajradhatu and Trailokyavijaya (Yoga Tantra):
- Vajra Karma
- Vajra Natri
- Vajra Gupta

Paramadya Samkshiptakula Tantra:
- Namka Dzo
- Amaoghasiddhi
- Le Kyi Khutsurma

Sarvavid Vairochana Tantra:
- Vajra Karma

Deity Colours: White | Yellow | Red | Blue-Black | Green | Multi-coloured | Other

Colours are very important in iconography and the religious imagery of Tantric Buddhism and the Bon religion. Deities have specific colours to represent moods and special activities and powers. Generally a deity will have one dominant body colour, however there are some rare examples of deities that have multiple colours. Sometimes the body is divided vertically and each side has a different colour. Even more rare are deities with the body divided into a patchwork of coloured sections.

Jeff Watt 7-2006 [updated 7-2018]

Jambhala (Buddhist Deity)
Red (Trapa Ngonshe Lineage)

Chakrasamvara (Buddhist Deity)
(Daka-Dakini Retinue Figure)

Nagaraja Buddha

Vajravega (Buddhist Protector)

Item No. 40284

Item No. 40285

Item No. 40286

Item No. 40287

Kalachakra (Buddhist Deity)
(4 faces, 24 hands)

Chakrasamvara (Buddhist Deity)

Garuda
Multi-coloured (Shabala)

Meri, Zhangzhung (Bon Deity)