A “Four Friends” Thangka is a meaningful depiction in Tibetan Buddhism and traditional Asian art, symbolizing the virtues of friendship, harmony, and mutual support. This thangka portrays four animals—usually a monkey, a rabbit, a bird, and an elephant—engaged in a cooperative activity, each representing different aspects of virtuous behavior and harmonious living.
In the thangka, the four animals are often shown working together to achieve a common goal, such as reaching for a fruit or navigating a shared path. This imagery illustrates the values of cooperation, unity, and the importance of each individual’s contribution to the collective well-being. Each animal in the thangka symbolizes specific qualities: the monkey represents intelligence and agility, the rabbit symbolizes resourcefulness and peace, the bird signifies freedom and vision, and the elephant embodies strength and wisdom.
