Five Foremost Deities
- Inventory number:
- Ж-1330
- Author:
- Unknown
- Creation Date:
- 19th century
- Place of Creation:
- Buryatia
- Provenance:
- Received from a private individual
- Technique:
- painting
- Size:
- 30 x 22 cm
- Material:
- canvas, mineral paint
- Type of object:
- Thangka
- Subject:
- Buddhism
Go Wai Lha Nga, the Five Lha – personal protectors of a person who accompany them throughout their life. Mo-lha – the deity of women; Srog-lha – the deity of life; Po-lha – the deity of men; Yul-lha – the deity of place; Dra-lha – the deity of enemies. Mo-lha rides a deer; in his right hand, he holds an arrow with eagle feathers, a mirror, and ribbons; in his left hand – a golden mirror. Srog-lha rides a black horse in armor with a mirror on his chest; in his right hand – a spear with a flag, and in his left hand, he holds the reins; he protects a person at birth, grants longevity and a happy life. Po-lha holds a golden plate with jewels in his right hand; he protects the paternal line of the family; he removes obstacles on the path to success. Yul-lha is in golden armor, holding an arrow in his hand, with a mirror on his chest. They guards the homeland, fulfills wishes, brings success, peace in the family, and protects against troubles on the road. Dra-lha holds a spear with a flag and a lasso. He protects against enemies and bad fame, safeguarding health. In the upper central part, Vajrapāṇi is depicted.
