About this work
There are twenty-one main forms of the female bodhisattva Tara. Tara – meaning ‘planet’, or ‘she who ferries across’ in Tibetan – is known as ‘She Who Saves’. The left and right hanging thangka paintings displayed here depict two of her most common forms: Sitatārā (White Tara), known for purity, healing and longevity, and Shyamatārā (Green Tara), known for swift and active compassion. Tara represents the activity of the Buddhas of the past, present and future, complementing the wisdom of the bodhisattva Manushri and the compassion of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. She is also associated with the Chinese Goddess of compassion and Queen of Heaven, Guanyin.
Top tier left to right:
Middle tier left to right:
Artwork Details
Place/s of Execution
Tibet
Accession Number
AS20-1970
Department
Asian Art
This digital record has been made available on NGV Collection Online through the generous support of The Gordon Darling Foundation