Guge Red Temple: Five Dharma Protectors and Seven Wisdom Kings

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari

Painted above the door on the east wall of the Red Temple, this image dates from the mid-15th century. It is divided into two rows, with seven Wisdom Kings in the upper section, and five Dharma protectors shown below.
The seven Wisdom Kings include Niadanda, Eakkiraja, Sarvanivarana Viskambhin, and Hayagriva. Each Wisdom King has a large body, three faces, and six arms. Their hair stands upright and they have wide, staring eyes. Stoles are wrapped around their arms, which hold various objects. They wear dhotis and stand on lotus pedestals with their left legs extended out to the side. A mandorla decorated with flame patterns surrounds each Wisdom King.
The Five Dharma protectors are, from the left, Yamantaka, White Mahakala, Mahakala, Sadbhuja Mahakala, and Caturbhuja Mahakala. Each Dharma protector has three eyes and a wrathful appearance. All of them except White Mahakala have blue skin. They sit or stand upon subdued demons or an animal, and are supported by inverted lotus thrones.