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The Tibetan culture is known for traditional sand
paintings, in which multicolored sand is delicately arranged
in intricate mandalas, displayed for a time, and
then ceremoniously swept away. The short-lived sand
paintings are said to reflect the temporary nature of all
material forms.
A less well-known form of traditional art from the Tibetans
is their butter sculpture. The largest and most
elaborate of these are usually made around the time of the
Tibetan New Year (Losar), when giant monuments are built of
yak butter or ghee (clarified butter) mixed with fat and
wax. Illuminated with colored lamps and decorated with
colorful dyes, the intricate sculptures commemorate various
traditional stories and fables.
Like the sand paintings, the butter sculptures are
temporary. After days, weeks, months, or years, they are
ceremonially destroyed. |
Tibetan culture: 中国西藏文化
intricate mandalas: 错综复杂的道坛
for a
time: 一段时间
ceremoniously: 隆重的
butter sculpture: 黄油雕塑
yak butter or ghee: 牦牛油和酥油
temporary: 暂时性的 |
