China Travel Tips

Reflections on Travel in China

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Tibetan Art in Yak Butter?



After travel in China and Tibet for the past 26 years and over 50 trips I still am fascinated by Chinese and Tibetan art. During festivals the Tibetan monks prepare displays of art made from yak butter that is dyed many different colors. The monks design and make displays for the festivals that often takes weeks to make which are beautiful and so unusual. After the festival is over, the displays are taken down and melted to be used again or to be burned in the monasteries. To me this is art and a special art that only exists for a short time and then lost forever in the melting pot. Most monks will let you take pictures without flash to preserve this art. So when you travel throughout China and Tibet watch for these special pieces knowing that you may have the only photos of them.

No comments: