Butter Sculpture Handicraft's Inheritance in Tibet

July,27 2016 BY Master Catherine Jigme 0 COMMENTS

Butter sculptures, together with prayer wheels, colorful prayer flags and piles of prayer stones, were endorsed by ancient Buddhist masters in Tibet as a flexible approach to helping illiterate commoners practice Buddhism.

The sculptures made of white yak butter and mineral dyes depict scenes from the Buddha's teachings and show the sculptors' reverence for the Buddha and their wishes on the special day.

It was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage by the State Council in 2006.

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture in Kangxung Township of Rinbung County in Shigatse, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. With an increasing demand of butter sculpture in the market, more than 100 butter sculpture craftsmen working on it in Kangxung Township, which makes the inheritance of butter sculptures get well protected.

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture in Kangxung Township of Rinbung County in Shigatse, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. With an increasing demand of butter sculpture in the market, more than 100 butter sculpture craftsmen working on it in Kangxung Township, which makes the inheritance of butter sculptures get well protected.

A craftsman makes a butter sculpture in Kangxung Township of Rinbung County in Shigatse, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. With an increasing demand of butter sculpture in the market, more than 100 butter sculpture craftsmen working on it in Kangxung Township, which makes the inheritance of butter sculptures get well protected.

About the Author - Master Catherine Jigme

With exceptional passion and outstanding leadership, Mrs. Catherine has dedicated herself to Tibet inbound tourism and China tour for 15 years. As one of the handful females who see great potential of Chinese inbound tourism, Catherine has made great contribution to promoting Tibet tourism and enhancing the employment of Tibetans and prosperity of local Tibetan community.

Over the years, she travelled overseas with Tibet Tourism Bureau many times to promote Tibet tourism. Currently, Catherine works as the marketing director of Tibet Vista, an opinion leader behind the whole team of Tibet Vista.

Email me about your travel idea