The “Thangka Classification Regional Standard” has gone through expert technical review, and will be implemented throughout Tibet, Chinanews.com reported.

The standard was jointly drafted by the Tibet Department of Culture, the Tibet Thangka Art Academy, the Chinese Standardization Research Institute, and Tibet University.

After collecting data, interviewing experts, holding consultation meetings, and soliciting suggestions from the public, the standards were ultimately put through technological review.

The standard defines Thangka as a kind of scroll art of drawing or embroidery on cloth, paper, or other kinds of materials. It is an art form rich in Tibetan cultural characteristics.

The standard classifies Thangka based on its materials and production methods, content and themes, and style and genre. In respect of materials and production methods, Thangka includes Drawing, silk, and precious stones.

Precious stones used to make thangkas include pearls, coral, turquoise, and other gems.

Today, more and more people are learning how to create Thangkas, so it is necessary to have a standardization system in order to regulate the protection of traditional thangka art.

The standard belongs to a series of standardizations, and classification is only the first step. Tibet also plans to produce the “Traditional Handmade Thangka Standard” and the “Standard for Fabric Thangkas”.

Thangka rose as a new form of art during the time of King Songtsen Gampo during the Tubo period, using colored satin to frame scroll paintings, and is the most unique art form in traditional Tibetan culture. It is also a valuable national intangible cultural heritage.