Language of Wrathful Iconography in Himalayan Art | Rubin

Rubin Museum of Art

Art 12 Spiral 18

Tibet, 18th century

Tiger Riding Mahakala

Central Tibet, Early 19th century

Six-Armed Mahakala

Tibet, 15th century

Nine-deity Hevajra Mandala

Central Tibet, 16th century

Nine-deity Mandala of Two-armed Hevajra

Tsang Provence, Central Tibet, 15th century

Panjaranatha Mahakala

Tibet, 15th century

Panjaranatha Mahakala

Tibet, ca. 16th-17th century

Panjarnatha Mahakala

Central Tibet, early 18th century, ca. 1720

Pelden Lhamo Dusolma “Smoke-Clad Goddess”

Tibet, 14th century

Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies

Tibet or Mongolia, 19th century

Black Cloak Mahakala

Kham Region, Eastern Tibet, 18th century

Black Hayagriva

Central Tibet, 15th century

A Viewer’s Guide to Wrathful Iconography in Himalayan Art

Learning the visual and symbolic language of the flames, skulls, weapons, and more

Buddhism Traditional Himalayan Art

split image of a detail of Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies on the left and a blue background with "Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies" in white text on the right

Himalayan Art Up Close: Makzor Gyelmo, Queen Who Repels Armies

Dr. Karl Debreczeny and Dr. Beth Harris examine a masterfully made appliqué depicting a Tibetan female protector deity

Himalayan Art Up Close

Wrathful Wisdom: Vajrabhairava

This terrifying deity is armed with the skillful means to transform

Art Interactives Traditional Himalayan Art Magazine

Bold, dramatic statue or tableau of the Hindu goddess Kali in a dynamic pose.

The Divine Wrath of Hindu Goddesses

Kali and Durga possesses transformative powers

Hinduism Scholarly Perspectives Magazine

What My Rage Showed Me

An activist and filmmaker learned how to access her anger to heal and overturned some long-held beliefs about the relationship between rage and love along the way

Personal Perspectives Healing Magazine

Bellie Meets the Lord of Death

An animated story about a young girl facing an impossible choice

Buddhism Creative Writing Contemporary Art Forms Magazine

Anger’s Call to Moral Action

Behavioral theory can explain when this emotion becomes fuel for good

Science Activism Magazine

A surreal collage shows a large vintage typewriter on rolling green hills with a sheet reading “ASK GOOD QUESTIONS,” while a headless figure with a cylindrical mechanical eye for a head holds a lit lantern over the paper, a tiny suited man on a spiky spherical plant peers through a long telescope toward the scene, and a large orange sun hangs in the pastel sky.

Noor Tagouri: Protectors All Around Us

A journalist shares how stories protect the vulnerable and bring us together

Activism Personal Perspectives Magazine

Five Stages to Integrating Wrath

Practices for channeling your protective fire with skill and intention

How-tos Magazine

Collage of two smiling vintage figures on rocks in front of a farmhouse and snowy mountain, framed by oversized hands and tall yellow flowers; a salmon banner at top reads “GIVE OUT LOVE.”

Maggie Doyne: Protectors All Around Us

The cofounder of BlinkNow on channeling ferocity into protection

Activism Personal Perspectives Magazine

Demon Slayer Opens New Doors to Understanding Wrath

Wrath, grief, violence, and Buddhist ethics in the popular anime series

Scholarly Perspectives Pop Culture Buddhism Magazine

Collage of a person at a vintage sewing machine with flowing white fabric carrying a tiny walker, cotton plants, scissors, and the text “Take MINDFUL ACTION.”

Ang Dolma Sherpa: Protectors All Around Us

A social entrepreneur creates eco-friendly prayer flags and khata scarves while empowering local women

Contemporary Himalayan Life Activism Personal Perspectives Magazine

white, orange, purple, and black geometric design displaying the words "NEAR AND FAR ENEMIES OF FIERCE COMPASSION"

Near and Far Enemies of Fierce Compassion

How to discern whether you’re reacting mindfully to injustice

Mindfulness Activism How-tos Psychology Magazine

Collage of a yellow VW van floating above green fields with a sheep standing on its roof, cows, chickens, a pig, a moonlit sky, a blue butterfly, a sign reading ‘FARM SANCTUARY’ and a small label 'DO NO HARM’.

Gene Baur: Protectors All Around Us

The cofounder of Farm Sanctuary on transforming anger and saving lives

Activism Personal Perspectives Magazine

colorful painting of the deity Mahakala on a reflective gold surface

The Great Black One

Uncovering the symbolism behind the cover art for the wrath issue of Spiral magazine

Contemporary Art Forms Magazine

Wrath in the Buddhist Tradition

Exploring the significance of this important concept in Buddhism

Buddhist Perspectives Buddhism Interviews Magazine

Black Cloak Mahakala

Wrathful Imagery in Tibetan Buddhist Art

A look at the complex symbolism of wrathful deities

Scholarly Perspectives Buddhism Traditional Himalayan Art Magazine

Coral Mask of Begtse with the word "WRATH" on the right

What Is Wrath in Tibetan Buddhism?

Tibetan Buddhist art and teachings illuminate how wrath can be transformed into a powerful force for meaningful change

Buddhism Traditional Himalayan Art