Toling Monastery: Vajravarahi

CHINA, Tibet, Ngari

This thangka features Vajravarahi, the consort of Cakrasamvara, as the central figure. The red Vajravarahi wears a five-skull crown, a garland of human heads, and delicate white ornaments. The head of a blue sow protrudes from the side of her face. She has three eyes, symbolizing her ability to perceive the past, the present, and the future. Her raised right hand grasps a ritual chopper, while her left hand cradles a skull cup. Cakrasamvara is symbolically depicted as a golden tantric staff resting in the crook of her left arm.
Standing on a prone orange figure, Vajravarahi raises her right leg and appears to dance. She is accompanied by small attendant dakinis with red mandorlas. Depictions of the eight charnel grounds are painted within the blue border around the central image. Seven colorful dakinis stand in a row at the top of the painting, and seven eminent monks sit at the bottom.