March 15, 2018

The Colour Turquoise

Tibetans painting is expressed in primary colours; Red, yellow, blue and green are the shades that define building decorations, murals and clothing. There are many more shades in nature, though, some with an aura of magic. One is turquoise, the color of sacred lakes, like the Yamdrok Yumtso, whose vibrant hue is reflected from the sky.

There is the shade of precious turquoise stones attributed with protection or healing properties, worn on the ear, neck or headdress and passed down for generations as heirlooms. There are those of late summer flowers that lend a blue hue to areas on the pasture and are also used for making medicine.