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Wearing taboos
1. Do not wear it when bathing: avoid thangka contact with water or bathing products.
2. Avoid placing it in the toilet: the toilet is humid and unclean, which may damage the thangka.
3. Maintain piety and awe: thangka has religious significance and needs to be respected.
Daily care
1. Avoid exposure to the sun: place it in a constant temperature place to prevent the pigment from fading or the material from cracking.
2. Reduce smoke: long-term smoke will cause the surface of the thangka to turn yellow.
3. Moisture-proof area: keep it dry, and dry it in non-direct sunlight for 1-2 minutes in autumn to dehumidify, and avoid strong light.
Zakiram is a unique female guardian deity in Tibetan Buddhism. Her story combines religion, history and folklore, and is especially popular in Tibet, Qinghai and other regions. The following are the main legends and symbolic meanings behind the Zakiram thangka:
**Legend of the origin of Zakiram**
1. **Queen from Han**
It is said that Zakiram was originally a beautiful and kind queen (or princess) in Han, who was poisoned to death due to court struggles. Before her death, she vowed to become a guardian deity to protect all living beings. After her death, her soul floated to Tibet and was subdued by a monk (one said to be Master Tsongkhapa) and became a Buddhist guardian.
2. **The origin of the Zaki Temple in Lhasa**
The Zaki Temple in Lhasa is the main temple dedicated to Zakiram. The Zakiram statue enshrined in the temple is famous for its black face, angry eyes and long tongue. Legend has it that she was poisoned during her lifetime and her tongue could not be retracted, but this image also symbolizes her power to devour the evil in the world.
3. **Evolution of the God of Wealth**
Zaki Ramu was originally a guardian deity, but due to the legend of effective wealth (such as merchants' business prospering after praying), she was gradually worshipped as the "God of Wealth". Today, many people go to Zaki Temple to offer white wine (symbolizing the legend that she drives away plague) and pray for wealth and peace.
**Image of Zakiram in thangka**
- **Appearance features**:
- The whole body is pitch black or dark blue, symbolizing the power of exorcism.
- Sticking out a long tongue (may be related to the Tibetan tradition of "fear" or the fusion of the image of the hanged ghost in Han area).
- Wearing a crown, a brocade robe, holding a ritual implement (such as vajra, skull bowl, etc.).
- Often stepping on evil spirits, showing the majesty of the guardian.
- **Unique elements**:
In some thangkas, there will be "companion gods" beside her - two attendants "Tau" and "Pau", who are responsible for recording good and evil respectively.
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**Symbol of cultural integration**
Zakiram's image and story reflect the integration of Tibetan and Han cultures:
- The legend of her origin in Han area reflects the traces of historical exchanges between Han and Tibetan.
- The combination of her "God of Wealth" function and the majesty of the Tibetan native guardian gods (such as Auspicious Mother) meets the people's dual needs for secular and religious.
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**Offerings and folk customs**
- **Pilgrimage to Zhaji Temple**: Every Wednesday (her "power day" in legend), believers line up to offer liquor and Hada.
- **Significance of Thangka**: Hanging Zhaji Ram Thangka at home is not only to attract wealth, but also to ward off evil spirits.
