Himalayan Art Resources

Subject: Deity Colours - Green (All Activities)

Buddhist Iconography

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Description (below)
- Male Deities (below)
- Female Deities
- Colours & Activities
- What Are the Colours?
- How to Identify a Deity?
- Four Ground Colours
- Masterworks
- Confusions
- Others...

Green Deities in Tibetan Buddhism - Male:
- Amoghasiddhi Buddha
- Amritakundalin
- Bhurkumkuta
- Jambhala
- Mahakala, Shadbhuja (Lord of Life)
- Vaishravana
- Vajramrita
- Vajrapani (peaceful form)
- Vajrasattva Chakrasamvara
- Vajravidarana
- Others...

In Tantric literature the colour green is believed to be the union of all four principal colours and therefore represents all four activities: peaceful, increasing, powerful and wrathful.

The two most well known deities that are green in colour are Tara and Amoghasiddhi Buddha. The colour green can also represent the Northern quadrant of a mandala.

The images below are only a selection of the main groups of figures that are depicted in a green colour. Some of the deities listed are generally depicted in a green colour while others might have a different main colour that they are more commonly known for. Many of the principal deities of Tantric Buddhism can have a number of different forms and colours depending on the purpose, activity, or tradition.

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

Jeff Watt 2-2013 [updated 7-2018]