As the 2nd "Beauty of Tibet" Painting Contest Exhibition drew to a close, the audience's enthusiasm was lingering on. Every person who has visited the exhibition is filled with admiration for the beauty of Tibet. In the paintings, the portraits of beautiful Tibetan women with distinctive folk costumes attract special attention.

As a saying goes, human beings create history. With the end of the painting exhibition, the brand "Beauty of Tibet" activity will create a period of time in history of the development in the Tibetan cultural industry. Every detail and story behind the paintings constitutes the indispensable part of this historic moment.

Throughout its history, great changes have taken place in Tibet, which can also be seen in the customs, jewelry and attire of the Tibetan women. The following will show images of Tibetan women in the pictures, which were taken 100 years ago and those in the paintings of the exhibition.

Black-and-white photograph: How Tibetan noblewomen were dressed in old Tibet

In old Tibet and Tibetan-inhabited areas, the Tibetan women who could take photos were often born into noble families. They were tender and kind, having noble and generous appearance; of course, they also wore a lot of jewelry to show their social position and financial capability of their family.

Especially during holidays, the well-dressed Tibetan women would wear coral, agate and green gem for decorations. There was a Tibetan saying that if you want to know a family's property, go to see the ornaments on the neck of its hostess.

The Tibetans also preferred to wear an ornament "Gawu", which means the "Buddha box for protection". It is usually made of gold or silver, with Buddhist scriptures or some valuables hiding inside. It is said that wearing "Gawu" could keep people from being harmed and ward off evil spirits.

Before the peaceful liberation of Tibet in 1951, Tibetan women had no political rights at all, even those from noble families. However, the noble women could attend the important holiday celebrations with their husbands. The cushion of the seat for the wife of Kalon (minister in the local government of Tibet) was just below her husband. The Tibetan women also had certain rights on their children's education and financial management of their families.

The Photo was taken in Lifan County of Sichuan Province in 1934. Lifan County is now located in the southwest of Ngapa Tibetan-Qiang Autonomous Prefecture of Sichuan. The way the young girl was dressed was the most fashionable style among nobles, making red coral beads as the headwear, twining a colorful belt around the waist, and taking coral silver rings as earrings. The girl was playing a buccal reed, which is actually a harmonica made of bamboo. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

The photo was taken in the 1930s or 1940s by a Japanese monk, which shows an aristocratic girl from Lhasa. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

The Photo was taken in 1920, showing the wife of an official in Lhasa. She wore a wig, which was influenced by the dressing style of the Mongolian women. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

The Photo was taken in the Xiahe County of Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of Gansu Province in 1934. The noble woman in the painting came from the Labrang Monastery of Xiahe County. With her hair in plaits, she wore gold turquoise-covered ring and red coral eardrops, a coral necklace and gold "Gawu", and silk satin fur jacket with the otter skin embroidery, all of which are as valuable as a thousand pieces of gold. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Paintings of "Beauty of Tibet": new faces of Tibetan women in today's Tibet

The 2nd "Beauty of Tibet" Painting Contest exhibition collects excellent paintings by professional and amateur artists nationwide, showing the panorama of the real Tibet in art forms. Several portraits of Tibetan women are also chosen, attracting a lot of audience.

Nearly a century has passed, Tibet has entered its best historical period with significant changes in political, economic, and social system. The development of all quarters of the society bring a higher living standard for the Tibetan people, and the beauty of ordinary Tibetan women can be seen in every forms of artistic presentation. The artists go wild with joy in displaying the images of beautiful Tibetan women through their works, which has created a new chapter in the history of today's Tibet.

Shadow of clouds and blue sky by Shi Mo, has won silver award in the 2nd "Beauty of Tibet" Painting Contest. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Tashi Delek by Zhen Meiqiu, has won gold award in the 2nd "Beauty of Tibet" Painting Contest. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Sunshine of Mt. Qomolangma by Ji Hongping, has been displayed in the 2nd "Beauty of Tibet" Painting Contest Exhibition. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

Pray By Lu Lu, has been displayed in the 2nd "Beauty of Tibet" Painting Contest Exhibition. [Photo/China Tibet Online]

It is not hard to find that dressing up is no longer an exclusive right of Tibetan noble women. Nowadays Tibetan girls can afford for beautiful and valuable decorations according to their own preferences. They have the right to choose their own life style and are working hard to live a better life. The great contemporary artistic works not only capture the most beautiful moments of the Tibetan women, but will also tell people in the future what a gorgeous historic period Tibetan women have experienced.