The Natural Pigments of Regong Thangka: A Thousand-Year-Old Coloring Art of Minerals and Plants

Hailed as a "living fossil" of Tibetan art, Thangka embodies the profound cultural heritage of Tibetan Buddhism and the unique aesthetic wisdom of plateau ethnic groups. What endows it with life and timeless charm are the natural pigments extracted from the mountains, rivers, plants, and trees of the snow-capped plateau.

Unlike the hasty and impetuous modern chemical pigments, the pigments of Regong Thangka are refined by craftsmen through countless trials and tribulations, capturing the purity of snow-capped mountains, the clarity of sacred lakes, and the piety of faith on canvas, thus creating an artistic legend that remains brilliant even after centuries.

I. Historical Origins of Thangka Pigments

The application history of mineral and plant pigments in Tibet spans over 2,000 years, closely intertwined with the spread of Tibetan Buddhism and the evolution of Tibetan civilization. During the Tubo period, painters utilized local plateau resources to extract pigments for creating temple murals and early Thangkas. Due to their long-lasting stability, these pigments have become "colorful living fossils" witnessing Tibetan history, and their bright hues can still be seen in the remaining murals of the Potala Palace and the ruins of the Guge Kingdom.

Historically, pigment processing techniques were concentrated in major cultural hubs of Tibet such as Lhasa and Xigazê, passed down through family inheritance or collaborative models based on "oral instruction and practical experience," forming the tradition of "pigment making as spiritual practice." The Regong region absorbed the essence of traditional techniques and innovated by integrating local resources, gradually developing a pigment system with both stability and regional characteristics, laying the foundation for the art of Regong Thangka.

II. Thangka Pigments: A Colorful Treasure Trove Gifted by Nature

At the core of Thangka pigments lies painters' reverence for nature. They never rely on synthetic colors but traverse the plateau to seek the purest sources of color—from mineral crystals in rock crevices to roots, stems, flowers, and leaves of plants in mountainous areas.

Pigments are mainly divided into mineral and plant types, each with distinct roles yet complementing each other to construct a unique color system that infuses Thangkas with soul. Mineral pigments form the foundation of the Thangka's solemn texture and long lifespan, while plant pigments endow the artwork with vividness and gentle warmth. Their symbiosis is a crucial carrier of the artistic essence of Regong Thangka.

Every color, whether for the majestic robes of Buddhas, the clear sky, or the sacred lotus flowers, originates from nature's bounty. Each brushstroke embodies the spiritual essence of Tibet, representing a profound integration of nature and faith. Key information about various pigments is clearly presented in the table below (there are numerous types of natural pigments, including but not limited to the following):

III. The Dual Role of Natural Pigments: Symbiosis of Mineral and Plant Colors

(I) Mineral Pigments: Builders of the Timeless Base

Mineral pigments are the core secret behind the centuries-long vibrancy of Thangka colors. Mostly sourced from rare mineral crystals on the plateau, they serve as the "skeleton" supporting the artwork's solemn texture and long lifespan. These minerals undergo dozens of processes, including selection, crushing, and grinding, to become fine powder. Boasting exceptional light resistance and oxidation resistance, they remain bright even after enduring the intense sunlight and temperature fluctuations of the plateau.

This is why Regong Thangkas from the Ming and Qing dynasties still shine brilliantly today. Each mineral pigment's color precisely aligns with its symbolic meaning, embodying religious emotions through visual expression and laying a sacred foundation for the artwork.

(II) Plant Pigments: Givers of Warm Vitality

If mineral pigments are the skeleton of a Thangka, plant pigments are the "flesh and blood" that endow the artwork with vividness and gentle warmth. Derived from the flowers, leaves, stems, and fruits of cold-tolerant plateau plants, each color carries the natural warmth of its origin. Complementing mineral pigments perfectly, they add approachability to the solemn religious scenes.

The production of plant pigments emphasizes "seizing freshness", involving complex processes such as collection, selection, and boiling to lock in natural hues. Though less durable than mineral pigments, they feature a soft and delicate texture. Their implied meanings of auspiciousness and resilience infuse vegetation, auspicious clouds, and human skin with vitality, enriching the artwork's layers while adding natural liveliness and gentle warmth.

IV. The Core Value of Natural Pigments: Integration of Craftsmanship and Faith

In the artistic system of Regong Thangka, the core value of natural pigments stems not only from the unique advantages of the materials themselves but also from the craftsmen's dedication and spiritual devotion. Mineral pigments offer extraordinary durability and expressive power, their fine particles create rich layers and textures, and overlapping applications produce a warm, thick luster like brocade. With pure, saturated colors and strong coverage, each stroke is clear and full, highlighting the dignity and elegance of Thangka art.

Meanwhile, plant pigments, with their soft and delicate texture, balance the heaviness of mineral pigments, infusing the artwork with natural warmth and making sacred religious themes more approachable and vivid. Their harmony renders Thangkas both solemn and lively.

This value is further shaped by the devout practices of Regong painters: they collect materials with reverence, avoiding habitats of living creatures and choosing auspicious days for extraction; during production, they concentrate intensely, integrating prayers and faith into every grind and boil. Whether the countless refinements of mineral pigments or the "freshness-focused" production of plant pigments, each batch carries the craftsman's warmth and spirituality.

This deep integration of "unique natural materials + exquisite craftsmanship + profound spiritual meaning" has not only elevated Regong Thangka to the status of a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage but also made it highly valuable in the collection market, a treasure in the art world.

V. Inheritance and Protection: Sustaining the Vitality of Thousand-Year-Old Colors

However, the inheritance of Regong Thangka pigments faces challenges. High-quality ore for mineral pigments is increasingly scarce, making extraction more difficult. Additionally, manual production is time-consuming and labor-intensive, with few young painters willing to invest the effort to learn the craft. The selection of plant pigments is affected by climate change, shrinking the growth range of some cold-tolerant plants. Moreover, traditional production techniques are mostly passed down orally, with many details at risk of being lost.

To safeguard this precious heritage, a inheritance model has emerged—led by intangible cultural heritage institutions and centered on Regong craftsmen. By systematically documenting the complete pigment production process and exploring the integration of modern environmental technologies with traditional craftsmanship, they have effectively improved production efficiency while preserving the natural characteristics of the pigments. This commitment to the "original intention of color" ensures the continuation of the thousand-year-old pigments' vitality.

From ore to color, Thangka pigments carry Tibetan culture and faith. When gazing at a Regong Thangka, the Buddha's light outlined by mineral pigments and the petals dyed by plant pigments represent a cross-mountain cultural dialogue. These are not just colors that endure for centuries, but artistic treasures born from the symbiosis of natural materials, craftsmanship, and faith—a crystallization of painters' devout persistence and a vivid carrier of Tibetan culture. As time flows, they continue to tell the profound heritage and unique charm of Eastern art.