In Tibetan cultural and artistic traditions, female figures appear extensively in temple murals, Thangka paintings, and various sculptures. In the mysterious art of Tibet, the richness of female Buddha imagery is considered unparalleled.
Tara is a goddess worshipped by Tibetan people. Her Sanskrit name is Tara, and she is also known as the Holy Mother of Salvation. According to legend, she manifested from the tears of Avalokitesvara (Guanyin Bodhisattva) and became famous for rescuing people from disasters. Therefore, she is also regarded as a compassionate Bodhisattva and the protector deity of all schools of Tibetan Buddhism.
Tara appears in six body colors: green, white, yellow, blue, red, and black. The most famous and widely worshipped are Green Tara and White Tara. It is said that they were manifested respectively by Princess Wencheng and Princess Bhrikuti. Green Tara is the principal deity among the Twenty-One Taras and the main form of the Holy Mother Tara. She is also the Tara image most commonly represented in artworks.
According to the “Praise to Green Tara,” the Twenty-One Taras are manifestations of Green Tara’s different enlightened activities, while Green Tara embodies the collective virtues and merits of all Twenty-One Taras. Green Tara has 21 manifestations, and she is one of the most revered Bodhisattvas among practitioners of Esoteric Buddhism because she is considered the easiest to approach and the easiest to receive blessings from.
Legend says that Princess Wencheng of the Tang Dynasty was regarded as an incarnation of Green Tara. Green Tara is green in color, wears a flower crown, and her hair is tied in a high bun. Golden earrings hang from her ears, and her expression is compassionate and gentle. Her upper body is uncovered, with celestial garments draped over her shoulders. She wears jeweled necklaces and silk ribbons flowing around her body.
Her left hand is held at her chest, holding a blue lotus flower with a curved stem. Her right hand extends downward with the palm facing outward in the gesture of granting wishes, also holding a curved-stem lotus. These symbolize overcoming the eight great fears and bringing peace and happiness to all beings. She sits barefoot upon a lotus throne, with lotus petals as tender and pink as newly bloomed flowers.
Her appearance is graceful, noble, beautiful, and compassionate. Most depictions of Green Tara portray her as a young woman of extraordinary beauty, her entire body shining like emerald jade. Green symbolizes life and hope. It represents an endless creative force of life that rejects all darkness and despair. The responsibility of rescuing beings from the Eight Great Fears belongs uniquely to Green Tara, which is why she is also called the Savior from the Eight Fears.
The appearance and attire of White Tara are generally similar to those of Green Tara. The difference is that her skin is pure white, and her seated posture is slightly different. In addition, she possesses seven eyes and is therefore commonly called the Seven-Eyed Mother. This distinctive feature symbolizes her ability to observe all sentient beings.
Her overall appearance is as follows: her body is white, her expression dignified and peaceful, and there is one eye on each hand and foot, along with three eyes on her face, giving her the title of the Seven-Eyed Buddha Mother. It is said that the eye on her forehead observes the countless Buddha lands in all directions, while the other six eyes observe beings within the six realms of existence.
She wears a flower crown, with dark hair tied into a bun, large earrings hanging from both ears, and heavenly garments adorning her body. Her upper body is uncovered, with jeweled ornaments around her neck and decorative cloth draped across her shoulder. She sits cross-legged upon a blooming lotus throne. Her right hand performs the gesture of guidance and salvation before her knee, while her left hand, held at her chest in the Three Jewels mudra, holds an utpala flower whose stem curves upward beside her ear. Her image is elegant and graceful.
Those who practice the method of White Tara are believed to eliminate all sins and obstacles, overcome demonic hindrances, and be protected from all disasters. It is also said that those without children may pray for sons or daughters and have their wishes fulfilled; those seeking wealth may obtain wealth; and those wishing for longevity and prosperity may also achieve their desires. The benefits and merits are said to be immeasurable, and the results come swiftly.
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