Art & Architecture

The thirteen arts and crafts also known as Zorig Chusum, keeps the Bhutanese arts and architecture alive. The thirteen traditional arts and crafts comprises of painting, carpentry, carving, sculpture, casting, black smithy, bamboo work, weaving, embroidery, masonry, paper work, leather work and silver and gold smithy. There are two schools in Bhutan where these arts and crafts are taught. They are in Thimphu, the capital of Bhutan and Trashiyangtse district.

The Thirteen Traditional Arts and Crafts

Bhutanese arts and crafts are deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. They are not just highly attractive and decorative but also subjective and symbolic. The thirteen art and crafts are together known as Zorig Chusum.

1. Shing zo (Woodwork)
2. Dho zo (Stonework)
3. Par zo (Carving)
4. Lha zo (Painting)
5. Jim zo (Sculpting)
6. Lug zo (Casting)
7. Shag zo (Wood Turning)
8. Gar zo (Blacksmith)
9. Troe zo (Ornament Making)
10. Tsha zo (Bamboo Work)
11. De zo (Paper Making)
12. Tshem zo (Tailoring, embroidery and applique)
13. Thag zo (Weaving)

Despite a small tourist market the arts and crafts in Bhutan thrives to survive. Government’s emphasis on the preservation of culture and heritage helped Bhutan arts and crafts survive.

Read the details of Zorig Chusum (The thirteen arts)

Textiles

Bhutanese textiles are distinctive and they are inspired by nature. Textiles in Bhutan are integral part of Bhutanese life. People of this Himalayan kingdom gift cloths during birth, death, wedding and other important occasion.

Every region in Bhutan is specialized in a particular pattern of textiles. For example Bumthang is known for yatha- its vegetable dyed wool weaves where as People of Khoma in Lhuentse district is famous for their Kishuthara. Weavers are mostly women in Bhutan who pride themselves on being able to create textiles that reflect a visually stunning combination of colour, texture, pattern and composition

Paintings

Like arts and crafts, every Bhutanese painting is religious by nature. Bhutanese paintings are anonymous without painter’s signature.

Lhazo is the Bhutanese tradition of painting. Lhazo refers to all types of painting including traditional paintings, called thangkhas. Thankhas are scroll paintings of Buddhist iconography executed in mineral paints. Thangkha painting follow strict geometric proportions.

Sculptures

Bhutan has the best sculptors in the Himalayan region. These sculptors are making statues of Buddhist figures for every monastery in the country and for important religious places in the region.

jinzob is the clay sculpture. The institute of Zorig Chuson is teaching students on this subject.

Paper Making

Deysho is Bhutanese handmade paper and it is being used for ages. Deysho is made up of the bark of daphne plant. Most of the religious tects are written on the deysho paper. Deysho is also used for wrapping gifts because of its durability.

Wood Carving

The cabinet craft of wood carving continues in Bhutan. It plays important role in the modern Bhutan. The prayer flags are printed from the carved wood blocks.

Parzo is the craft of carving wood, slate and stones. Of these carving on wood is most common.

Sword Making

garzo (or blacksmithing) is the art of making sword. Garzo also includes the making of all metal implements including knives, chains, darts etc.

Terton Pema Lingpa, from central Bhutan was Bhutan’s best known sword maker.

Boot Making

During important occasion Bhutanese men wear traditional boots. These boots are made up of cloths. They are hand-stitched and patterned. Different officials at different rank use different colour.

During the important it is important to have traditional Bhutanese boots which and lend a ceremonial air to such occasions. Many villagers and retired monks wear simpler traditional boots without the fancy appliqué work.

Bamboo Craft

thazo is the art of working with cane and bamboo. Some community of the country is famed for their arts in bamboo and cane crafts.

Varieties of crafts are produced by the local people of Zhemgang and Trongsa with bamboo and cane. Bangchung Bhutanese “Tupperware” is one of the most popular craft.

Jewelry

Gold and Silver jewelry with intricate motifs are usually the traditional Bhutanese jewelry. Komas,-bracelets used to tie kira is one product that Bhutanese women use. Zhi is highly priced stone in Bhutan.

During local festival Bhutanese women wear best of the jewelry. Some of them are decorated with the traditional necklaces of coral, the size of small stones.

Dzongs

This magnificent architectural masterpiece of Bhutanese architects, the Dzong (fortress) are striking features in every district in Bhutan. Every dzongs are surrounded with myths and legends.

The dzongs are the living examples of the very distinctive Bhutanese architectures. The structures with tapering walls and large courtyards are the finest examples of Bhutanese architectures.in 12^th century Galwa Lhanangpa introduced first dzong in Bhutan. It was later taken over by Zhabdrung Nawang Namgyal in 17^th century.

Today almost all the dzongs function as government officer and houses monks. In Bhutan be it dance, music, drama, arts or crafts, they all have its roots in religions.

Dzongs are not just places of religious duty and interest. Probably, the most defining factor which distinguishes the Dzongs from other forms of architecture around the world is the fact that they were in the past and are still today multifunctional.

In the olden days Dzongs were places of trade and an area where people would assemble to share in celebration with their fellow man, especially during the annual tshechu (mask dance festival).

The dzongs were built without plans and designs and in most of the dzongs no nails were used.

Dzongs are rich with histories. The remind us of the Bhutanese victory over Tibetan invasions from North and standing united against the British Indian attacks from the south.

The Dzongs are the symbols of unification and identity of Bhutan. In these magnificent structures can be seen the cultural legacy and heritage that links our glorious past to present and the future.

Monasteries

Everywhere in Bhutan Monasteries are common sights. Monasteries are the testimony of the spiritual nature of the kingdom and its people. Monasteries are located at the top of a rocky cliff, at the farthest horizons or on a hilltop.

Each monastery is significant in its own way and they are the centre for the local festivals and community ceremonies. A monastery will have a golden pinnacle on the roof-top and maroon -band painted on the top of its walls. There are many monasteries which houses monks. These monks perform all the religious needs of the community in its locality.

Chortens (Stupa)

Bhutan is dotted with thousands of chortens also called stupas. The chortens represents the deep faith in Buddhism of the people. Many chortens are built even today/

One of the most important chortens in Bhutan is the memorial chorten in the capital city Thimphu. This chorten is dedicated to the memory of the third king of Bhutan.

Chortens in Bhutan represents the Vajrayana Buddhist art in the form of statues and wall paintings. Chorten literally means ‘receptale’ or worship or offering

It is not very clear how the chorten, but it had already developed into a good symbol of worship before the emergence of Buddhism.

The basic architectural characteristics of most chortens are based on the five symbolic elements. The square or rectangular base symbolizes the earth; the half-spherical dome symbolizes water. Fire is represented by the conical or pyramidal spire. The 13 step-like segments present in many chortens are symbolic of the 13 steps leading to Buddha-hood. The crescent moon and the sun on top symbolize air, and a vertical spike symbolizes the sacred light of the Buddha. The life-spirit of the chorten is a carved wooden pole called the sokshing, which is placed inside the belly of the chorten.

Chortens are sometimes also built in memory of an individual, and other times to commemorate the visit of an enlightened sage, or to house sacred books and often the relics and bodies of great lamas and saints.

Traditional Houses

Traditional Bhutanese houses are the most delightful sights to see when you travel through Bhutan. Basic elements like mud blocks, rammed earth, stone, are used to build a traditional Bhutanese house.

Bhutanese houses are large. The roof provides attic area which is used for drying crops. Every house will have an alter where they pray. Mostly the first floor is occupied by the prople. And the ground floor is used for cattle. Traditional Bhutanese houses are roofed using sigles

Traditional rural homes are generally large, with a distinctive roof which provides an attic area for drying crops. The most important room in the house is the altar room where guests are often hosted; otherwise most rooms are more functional. Every Bhutanese in the rural Bhutan use the roofs to druy chillies.