A quick look at the painted walls and folk art seen everywhere in Bhutan. Bright colors and ancient images adorn EVERY building and home. Traditional Buddhist mandalas are painted on monasteries and dzongs. Art is everywhere we look and surprises await around each corner.
This is the land of the peaceful dragon
Black necked cranes winter in Central Bhutan (from Tibet) and images can be found all over the region.
So many deities, so little time.
Classic window shape and decoration typical of Bhutanese building style
A visit to the National Art Institute let us meet artists in training learning their craft- wood carvers must practice for 6 years before they are qualified to make the traditional carvings that grace all the buildings.
Each mask (used for festivals and celebrations) starts as a single block of wood and is completely carved by hand, then painted in great detail to represent the different characters (painters train for 6-9 years depending on their specialty).
Audrey looking fierce!
The wheel of life (Maya's favorite sacred painting) depicts all the possibilities for reincarnation- better to be reborn in the top half!
Ornate woodcarvings at the Thimphu dzong.
The mystic spiral- a mandala unique to Bhutan.
Finally, the most unusual of Bhutan's artistic expression- found on homes and shops and buildings everywhere:
These are prominently and proudly displayed usually on the front of the house. They also have flying penis statues hanging from the roof of many houses as well. We have heard a few explanations as to why:
A symbol of fertility.
A Buddhist way of humility for having fancy material positions like a house. If you have a giant hairy penis on the front of your house then your neighbors are less likely to envy you possessions.
Or to keep away bad spirits.
Not sure how well this would go over back home, but if anywhere, San Francisco would be the place- will let our wonderful neighbors have a say before we import this one.
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