Snow Lion

The Snow Lion (Tibetan: Gangs seng ge; according Gendun Chöpel also Gangchen Nag gi Senge, German: Lion of the forested Himalayas ) is an allegorical and mythological animal of Buddhism in Tibet. He is the best known symbols of Tibet and is seen in duplicate both on the flag, as well as on the seal of the Tibetan government in exile. He also appears individually on Tibetan stamps and coins, and usually in pairs on Tibetan banknotes. In addition to the Garuda, the dragon and the tiger he is one of the four Would the four cardinal directions, which can be associated with different aspects of a Bodhisattva and in the midst of prayer flags, for example, the Wind Horse can be represented. The Garuda symbolizes wisdom from this point of view, the dragon docile power, confidence and trust of the Tiger and the Snow Lion fearless fortune. The snow lion is associated with the direction East and the Buddhist Five Element theory the earth element.

The roar of the snow lion

In the understanding of Tibetan Buddhism, the roar of the snow lion with the sound of emptiness, of courage and truth is equated. Therefore, it is also seen as a synonym to the Buddhist Dharma, which implies the possibility of freedom from karma, is the teachings of the Buddha and from a Buddhist perspective shows the way to enlightenment. The roar of the snow lion is considered in this interpretation as so powerful that only a single screamer was seven dragons to fall from the sky capable.

The milk of the Snow Lion

One legend of the Tibetan folklore according to which the milk contains the snow lion (Tib.: Gangs Sengemo ) certain ingredients which are capable of healing the human body and restore the harmony. So should contain the essence of the milk of the Snow Lion certain respected as sacred medicines.

As a symbol is the milk of the snow lion for the purity of the Buddhist teachings. According to legend, a man is said to have tried to purchase the Dharma with expensive gifts of Milarepa. Milarepa did, however, apart from the milk of snow lioness who live in snowy solitude and whose milk as the vital nectar (see Amrita ) is to pour in the absence of a golden cup in an ordinary vessel.

Representation in Buddhist art

The body of the snow lion appears in Buddhist art white, whereas the hair of his mane, his tail, and the curls can be colored blue or green on his legs. Most representations of a snow lion show a gender-neutral snow lion, but there are also snow lions which are shown clearly male or clearly female. If they are shown as a symmetrical female / male pair, the male is on the left and the female on the right side. Sculptures of snow lions are often made of hammered metal, which is then plated with gold and colored.

Attributes

Although the snow lion has no wings and therefore can not actually fly is said that his feet never touch the ground. The existence of the snow lion is as playful continuum ( Tib: rgyud ) described, in which they jump from mountain top to mountain top. Your Shakti is the attribute of the gankyil ( Skt. ananda - chakra; Tibetan dga ' ' khyil ) words, playing with the snow lions.

In a psychological interpretation of the meaning of the snow lion could best be compared with that of unicorns or Qilins.

The lion dog

The Tibetan Lion Dog Shih -Tzu, which is closely related to the Apso Seng Kyi, based on relative similarities often associated with the snow lions with them. Whether the Shih -Tzu but was bred in the image of artistic representations of snow lion, or whether artistic representations of snow lions after the Shih -Tzu taught, is uncertain.