Interactive Iconography Studio · 01
Identify a Tibetan Buddhist Figure in Three Clues
Tibetan iconography never improvises: body color, leg posture, and handheld implements act as an exact visual signature. Select any clue you see below.
No single figure matches all three selected clues simultaneously.
Avalokiteśvara (Chenrezig)
Palms joined at heart holding a wish-fulfilling jewel (Añjali / Maṇidhara)
Snow-white body, four arms: two palms cupped at the heart, upper right holding a crystal rosary, upper left holding a white lotus.
Green Tārā (Sgrol-ljang)
Right hand in supreme generosity (varada); left hand in three-jewel refuge at heart
Emerald-green female bodhisattva with her right leg stepping forward onto a small lotus, holding blue night-lotuses (utpala) at both shoulders.
White Tārā (Sgrol-dkar)
Right hand supreme giving; left hand holding white lotus stem at heart; seven eyes visible
Snow-white female deity in full cross-legged lotus posture (unlike Green Tārā’s extended leg) with tiny eyes painted on her forehead, palms, and soles.
Mañjuśrī (Jampelyang)
Right arm raised wielding flaming sword; left hand at heart holding lotus stem bearing scripture
Youthful golden-orange bodhisattva holding a flaming sword aloft in his right hand and a rectangular Tibetan/Sanskrit book resting on a lotus by his left ear.
Medicine Buddha (Bhaiṣajyaguru · Sangye Menla)
Right hand supreme giving holding arura plant; left hand meditation mudra holding begging bowl
Deep lapis-blue Buddha in simple monk’s robes (no crown or jewelry), holding a dark bowl in his lap and a leafy medicinal sprig at his right knee.
Vajrasattva (Dorje Sempa)
Right hand holds upright vajra at heart; left hand rests bell against left hip
Crowned white bodhisattva holding a small scepter-like vajra at chest level and resting a handbell proudly against his left hip.
Padmasambhava (Guru Rinpoche)
Right hand holds vajra at heart; left holds skullcup in lap while cradling khatvanga staff
Bearded master with penetrating gaze wearing an upturned red-and-gold lotus hat topped with a vulture feather, cradling a trident staff in the crook of his left arm.
Śākyamuni Buddha (Shakya Thubpa)
Right fingertips touching lotus base (bhūmisparśa); left palm upward in lap holding dark alms bowl
Golden Buddha in plain monk’s patchwork robes with indigo hair curls, right hand reaching over his right knee to touch the ground, left hand holding a dark bowl in his lap.
Amitābha (Öpakmé · Buddha of Infinite Light)
Both hands resting in lap in meditation mudra (dhyāna) supporting an alms bowl
Coral-red or ruby-red Buddha in plain monastic robes with both hands resting together in his lap holding a bowl (or, as crowned Amitāyus, holding a golden long-life vase).
Vajrapāṇi (Chana Dorje · Wielder of the Thunderbolt)
Right arm raised brandishing five-pronged vajra; left hand at chest in wrathful tarjanī mudra
Fierce midnight-blue figure standing in a wide warrior lunge surrounded by orange flames, wearing a tiger-skin loincloth and brandishing a golden thunderbolt-vajra high in his right hand.
Yellow Jambhala (Dzambhala Serpo)
Right hand resting on knee holding golden citron; left arm gently squeezing a jewel-mongoose
Stout, regal golden figure with a short beard and jeweled crown, holding a lemon-like citron on his right knee and a small mongoose spitting gems in his left hand.
Mahākāla (Gönpo · Wisdom Dharma Protector)
Central hands hold curved flaying knife (kartika) & skullcup (kapāla) at chest; outer arms hold mala, drum, trident & lasso
Midnight-blue-black wrathful guardian crowned with five skulls amidst blazing fire, central hands holding a crescent chopper over a skullcup at the heart.
Uṣṇīṣavijayā (Namgyalma · Victorious Crown Wisdom)
Eight arms: central right holds crossed double-vajra at heart; lower left holds nectar vase in lap; upper right holds tiny red Amitābha
Snow-white female deity with three faces (white, yellow, blue) and eight radiating arms—uniquely holding a miniature red Buddha on a lotus in her upper right hand and a crossed vajra at her chest.
Je Tsongkhapa (Lobsang Drakpa · 1357–1419)
Both hands at heart in Dharma-Wheel Turning mudra (dharmacakra), holding stems of two lotuses bearing Sword (right) and Scripture (left)
Clean-shaven Tibetan monk wearing a tall pointed yellow pandita hat with long lappets, both hands poised in teaching gesture at his chest, flanked at the shoulders by Mañjuśrī’s flaming sword and book.
Jetsün Milarepa (1052–1135 · Tibet’s Cotton-Clad Poet-Yogi)
Right palm raised beside right ear singing spontaneous realization songs; left hand resting on knee or holding skullcup
Slender long-haired ascetic wearing a thin white cotton robe with a red meditation belt across his chest, unmistakably cupping his right hand next to his right ear.