Multi-coloured Deities | Iconography Main PageSubjects, Topics & Types:
- Multi-coloured Deities 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 Bon. Deities have specific colours to represent moods and special activities and powers. Generally a deity has one body colour, however there are some rare examples of deities having multiple colours with the body divided vertically and each side having a different colour, or the body divided into sections.
Jeff Watt 7-2006 [updated 7-2018]