Himalayan Art Resources

Subject: Lay Figure Appearance

Eleven Figurative Forms

Subjects, Topics & Types:
- Lay Figure Appearance Explanation (below)
- Yoga Appearance
- Confusions
- Others...

Topics:
- Clothing
- Hats
- Colours
- Ornamentation
- Meditation Belt
- Deerskin Mat
- Seats
- Others...

Famous Lay Figures:
- Chandragomin
- Chogyur Lingpa
- Dragpa Gyaltsen
- Drogmi Lotsawa
- Dromton
- Gayadhara
- Indrabhuti
- Marpa Chokyi Lodro
- Milarepa
- Sachen Kunga Nyingpo
- Seton Kunrig
- Sonam Tsemo
- Tangtong Gyalpo
- Yutog Yontan Gonpo
- Other...

Lay Figure Appearance is similar to Arhat and Monastic Appearance because they all share the basic human form with one face and two hands. The principal differences are with the clothing, colours and ornamentation. The clothing has strong combinations of blue, green, brown colours with a very sparing use of red, orange and yellow. The latter colours are those associated with monastic robes.

Lay Figure Appearance has different types depending on regional associations such as teachers from Indian, Tibet, Mongolia and China. Generally Indians would be attired in white clothing, a headdress and no footwear. Tibetan figures would have heavy clothing and footwear.

Jeff Watt 6-2015 [updated 9-2016]