Iconographic Representation of the Murals at Jibengang Lhakang in Lhasa

Wei Jie

Abstract

Jibengang Lhakang stands as the sole ancient edifice in Lhasa constructed according to the mandala structure and represents the first ancient building in the city to undergo protective renovation into an art center. It serves as a landmark of Lhasa's Old City and is recognized as one of the city-level cultural heritage conservation units. Inside Jibengang Lhakang, a plethora of Qing Dynasty murals adorn the walls, exhibiting high artistic value. Despite the art center's exhibitions being well-known, the internal murals have been largely overlooked, with academic research on them remaining underdeveloped. These murals, rich in themes, possess unique aesthetic and research value, serving as treasures of Tibetan art and important carriers for studying Tibetan history and culture. This paper systematically organizes and summarizes the artistic imagery of the murals within Jibengang Lhakang and briefly analyzes their artistic styles.

Keywords

Jibengang LhakangQing Dynasty muralsiconographic analysis

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