A White Tara thangka is a revered piece of Tibetan Buddhist art that features White Tara, a deity symbolizing compassion, healing, and longevity. In these thangkas, White Tara is depicted with a calm and serene demeanor, seated in a meditative posture on a lotus flower, signifying purity and spiritual awakening. Unique to her representation are her seven eyes: three on her face, and one on each of her hands and feet, which symbolize her all-seeing nature and her ability to perceive the suffering of all beings. She is often shown holding a blooming blue lotus (utpala), which represents purity and eternal life. The thangka is elaborately detailed, with vibrant colors and intricate designs that include other deities, protective symbols, and auspicious elements, making it not only a visual masterpiece but also a powerful tool for meditation and religious practice. Thangkas like these are used to focus the mind and invoke the protective and healing qualities of White Tara during meditation and rituals.
