Sipaaho Thangka (Tibetan Astrological Protection Wheel) A Shield of Cosmic Harmony

The Story in the Details

• Dimensions: 50 x 40 cm
• Sacred Materials: Genuine 24K Gold, Hand-Ground Mineral Pigments, Cotton Canvas
• Hand-Painted In: Kathmandu Valley, Nepal
• Artistic Tradition: Traditional Tibetan Astrological Style
• Framing: Unframed
• A Unique Creation: Original, one-of-a-kind devotional painting.
• Consecration: Available on request

Iconography: A Visual Dharma Teaching

The Sipaaho is a visual map of the universe designed to block bad luck. 
The central focus is the Great Golden Tortoise, an emanation of the deity Manjushri.

• Sacred Form: 
  The Tortoise has a fierce face with three eyes and a flaming brow. 
  Its body is hidden, but its large, golden belly forms the main protection wheel.
• The Center Wheel: 
  The belly features three distinct rings. 
  The center shows a colorful grid of nine "Magic Square" numbers. 
  The middle ring contains blue petals marked with "Trigram" lines. 
  The outer ring displays twelve beautifully painted animals, representing the Zodiac cycle.
• The Grip: 
  Four clawed hands grip the edge of the wheel tightly. 
  These claws pin down spotted frogs on metal spikes, 
  which visually represents trapping negative earth spirits so they cannot cause harm.
• Vertical Seals: 
  On the left and right sides, you see tall, vertical stacks of geometric shapes. 
  These bars are painted in green, red, blue, and yellow to represent the Five Elements forming a protective wall.

The Sacred Assembly

This thangka presents a complete mandala of protection, with symbols placed in every corner to guard the home.

The Lords of the Three Families (Top Row)

• Center – Manjushri 
  The yellow figure in the center holds a flaming sword. He represents the wisdom needed to understand the stars.
• Left – Vajrapani 
  The blue figure on the left is fierce and energetic. 
  He represents the power to stop negative forces.
• Right – Chenrezig 
  The white figure on the right holds a lotus. He represents the compassion that brings peace.

The Corner Talismans

• Top Left – Namchu Wangden 
  This looks like a single complex symbol, but it is actually ten different letters stacked together. 
  It stands on a lotus flower and glows with golden light.
• Top Right – Mantra Square 
  This is a square grid with nine colorful boxes. Inside each box is a tiny, hand-written Tibetan prayer script that seals the directions.

The Bottom Realm

• Center – The Suppression 
  Below the main wheel, a blue dagger floats in the air. 
  Beneath it, a golden figure is wrapped in red cloth, symbolizing bad luck being tied up and neutralized.
• Bottom Corners – The Small Wheels 
  Two smaller circles sit at the bottom. The left one is blue with geometric lines. 
  The right one is yellow with colorful lotus petals and script.

The Living Landscape of the Mind

The deity resides within a sacred environment that mirrors the nature of the enlightened mind.

• Background Style: 
  The artist uses a clear, bright blue to create a vast sky. 
  This open space allows the colorful details of the diagram to pop.
• Symbolic Elements: 
  White clouds drift behind the symbols, adding depth. 
  At the bottom, green hills and blue water provide a solid foundation for the protection chart.

A Legacy of Devotion in Every Brushstroke

This piece is a work of living history, imbued with the devotion of its creator.

• Artistic Lineage: 
  It was brought to life by a master artist trained in the Newari tradition of Kathmandu.
• Renowned For: 
  This style is famous for its incredibly fine line work. 
  You can see this in the tiny fur details of the animals and the precise script.
• Craftsmanship: 
  Each brushstroke is deliberate. 
  The artist uses real 24K gold to highlight the edges of the seals, making them catch the light.

A Sacred Tool for Your Path

• For Sacred Space: 
  Use this thangka as a focal point in your entryway. 
  Its complex geometric patterns and bright colors visually signal safety and boundaries.
• The Heart-Mantra: 
  Viewing the "Om Ah Hum" syllables painted in the squares helps center your mind and purify your speech.
• A Final Blessing: 
  May this thangka be a constant guide, filling your home with light and your heart with peace.