The world's wind and horse
Robert Hooper's work "Wind Horse" Image: fine art
Watercolor on canvas, employing techniques of splashing, spraying, and pouring to achieve an ethereal and dreamlike presentation. In the artist's creative philosophy, the wind horse is regarded as a symbol pointing to the spiritual dimension of humanity.
On the summit of the Tibetan Plateau, snow-capped peaks tower in an unbroken range. Monasteries are shrouded in mist and clouds, the vital energy between heaven and earth pure and clear. Here dwells the wind horse, known as Lungta in Tibetan. The wind horse is not a creature of flesh and blood, but an embodiment of life force and prayer.
Wind Horse Flags, woodblock print, 18th century, British Museum. Four animals guard the four directions, balancing the elements of heaven and earth. The wind horse rises among them, connecting the human realm with a higher order.
Before the introduction of Buddhism, the ancient people of Tibet revered the spirits of heaven and earth, honored the gods of mountains and rivers, and stood in awe of the power of the sun and moon. Among the various nature spirits, none ran swifter or possessed greater vigor than the wind horse. Tied to the human heart, it carried an individual's essence, wisdom, and fortune. The wind horse was like an invisible steed, riding upon the winds of destiny.
With the flourishing of Buddhism in Tibet, the meaning of the wind horse grew ever richer. It came to symbolize the force of inner life, carrying auspiciousness and good intentions, and embodying positive aspirations. People painted their prayers on wind horse flags, which fluttered and traveled far on the breeze. Wherever they went, blessings gradually arose. As the wind horse galloped and danced upon the wind, prayers from all directions were delivered, while it also reflected the landscape of the human heart, mirroring the heights of one's spirit and the ebb and flow of one's well-being.
Antique Tibetan Thangka "Lungta (Wind Horse)", early 20th century. Painted in colors on cloth, with a central image of the wind horse surrounded by Tibetan scripture. The outer border features depictions of protective deities and auspicious symbols. Dimensions: 56 cm × 40 cm. Image: invaluable
On the occasion of the New Year of the Horse, we present this collection, featuring carefully created wind horse-themed artworks from the global art scene. Through their imagery, we invite our readers to appreciate the form of the wind horse and experience its spiritual resonance as expressed through diverse artistic styles around the world. Among these works, some adhere to the traditional roots of Tibetan culture, faithfully preserving its symbolic meaning; others draw upon its image and essence to convey a pursuit and understanding of freedom and spiritual strength.
At the same time, we also take this opportunity to convey our blessings through the wind horse. We wish that as the new year begins, all aspirations may be fulfilled, and all endeavors and paths may proceed smoothly. May all that is beautiful arrive with the spirited dance of the wind horse.
The wind horse carries the wish-fulfilling jewel on its back.
Cintamani 1935-1936
This renowned collection of wind horse-themed works is by the Russian artist Nicholas Roerich. They are important masterpieces of the artist's Symbolist and spiritual artistic style. The works feature a bright, vibrant, and highly stylized panoramic landscape of the Himalayas as their backdrop. The wind horse (Lung Ta) walks through this landscape, carrying the wish-fulfilling jewel on its back, radiating a divine and dazzling light.
White Stone 1933
This was one of the significant themes Roerich explored repeatedly after completing his Central Asian expedition. The works also use magnificent colors to enhance the mythical atmosphere and spiritual power contained within them. In Roerich's artistic expression, the wind horse is often depicted carrying three jewels engulfed in blazing flames—the "Three Jewels," which are symbols of the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
World's Treasure 1924
Image: roerich.museum
Adrian Novac
The steed that carries wishes, a spiritual anchor.
British contemporary artist Adrian Novac has gained international acclaim for his surrealist oil paintings. Many of his works are imbued with a mysterious and detached quality, creating a powerful atmosphere.
Regarding the imagery in the artwork "Lungta," the wind horse embodies both the swiftness of the wind and the vigor of a horse. It is regarded as a steed that carries prayers, allowing the voices of the human heart to ascend with the air currents to the celestial realm.
Regarding its inner meaning, the wind horse symbolizes righteous energy. It gathers vitality, auspicious signs, and the power of destiny as a foundation for protection. It also serves as a spiritual support on the path to wisdom and enlightenment.
Lungta
Image: @adrian.novac_
The entire painting uses blue tones and transparency to create an ethereal and profound style, releasing a strong and intuitive appeal. It vividly presents the artist's contemporary interpretation of this traditional Tibetan spiritual imagery.
Solongo Ch
Galloping horses like clouds, ceaselessly renewing life.
The Radiance of Sunlight
Mongolian artist Solongo Ch has long centered her creative work on the imagery of the horse. Within grassland cultures and their identity, the horse is a symbol of speed, endurance, and freedom. This spirit is fully embodied in her series of works on the horse theme.
spirit
While inheriting the grassland culture and traditional imagery, it incorporates a bright and contemporary color palette. This style is often regarded as the representative visual language of the artist Solongo Ch.
sky
Her works often feature a group of highly stylized horses galloping amidst swirling, flowing clouds that symbolize auspiciousness, rendered in a rainbow of multiple colors. The compositions are full of dynamism, brimming with a sense of power and rhythm. In this way, she fully expresses the spirit and surging vitality of the steppes.
Morning Sun
Image: solongoart
Solongo Ch says:
"Everything will be okay.
Things never stay the same forever.
The sun will rise."
May people's lives be like her artworks—
colorful, full of vitality, and filled with auspicious energy.
Pema Gyeltshen
Prayer flags flutter, horses leap, and auspicious light circulates.
Arabica Lungta
(Medium: Coffee, watercolor paper)
Contemporary artist Pema Gyeltshen from Thimphu has a wide range of creative themes and maintains a passion and reverence for diverse art forms. His work encompasses religion, traditional culture, daily life, abstract expression, and personal calligraphy.
Lungta
Acrylic and watercolor are his most frequently used mediums. He particularly values traditional techniques but has never ceased exploring the boundaries of creation. In his persistent pursuit of artistic quality, he is also constantly seeking new breakthroughs and possibilities.
Lungta
The wind horse theme occupies a significant place in his creative work. Immersed in Buddhist tradition since childhood, the artist deeply values the spiritual meaning carried by the wind horse. It not only represents a person's potential for spiritual growth but also symbolizes the ability to face life's challenges with composure and resilience.
Windhorse
One of the most beautiful forms of the wind horse's existence is manifested through the five-colored prayer flags. On these cloth banners fluttering in the wind, each color symbolizes an element. They are printed with auspicious patterns, symbols, and scriptures, along with the image of the wind horse carrying the wish-fulfilling jewel. As the flags sway in the breeze, blessings and prayers are carried forth.
Lungta
Image: @divine_brushes
Tenzin Norbu
Upright in conduct, the wind horse soars high.
Nepalese artist Tenzin Norbu was born into a family with a five-generation legacy of Thangka art. His profound mastery of traditional Tibetan Thangka, combined with the beautiful, fresh, serene, and pure mountain landscapes of his hometown, serves as the wellspring of his creative inspiration.
Windhorse
Image: @windhorse.gallery
In this wind horse themed artwork, a herd of horses gallops freely with the most powerful posture, representing people moving forward fearlessly with clear and positive energy. If a person can harbor goodness, uphold truth, walk the right path, maintain a pure and untainted mind, and keep their spirit high and undaunted, then the wind horse will rise on the energy, soaring high with the wind. Wherever it goes, blessings and fortune will naturally follow.
Gyempo Wangchuk
Carry goodness aloft on the wind horse,
See the heart clearly through wisdom's light.
Bhutanese artist Gyempo Wangchuk completed a six-year specialized training program in Lhadri traditional painting at the National Institute of Zorig Chusum (Arts and Crafts) in Bhutan. His experience in traditional art encompasses thangka scroll painting as well as the creation of murals for monasteries and dzongs (fortresses).
Hope
Image: vastbhutan
In this artwork titled "Hope," the wind horse of the heart carries the wish-fulfilling jewel and treads upon auspicious clouds, journeying along the path to enlightenment. Through this, the artist conveys the wish: to illuminate the inner direction with a clear and bright awareness, to let goodwill become a continuously flowing energy, and to allow the upward force to spread far with the wind, touching a wider world. In this continuous journey, one returns to the mind's original purity and openness.
Anatoly Tsydenov
Carried by mindfulness, entrusted with auspiciousness.
Windhorse
Buryat artist Anatoly Tsydenov's creative themes are closely centered around mythological narratives and the daily life of the Buryat people. His artistic work fully utilizes the delicate techniques and stylistic characteristics of Buryat painting. His pieces are imbued with a gentle and good-natured humorous quality.
Windhorse
Image: mk.ru
In the artist's wind horse themed works, the wind horses either gallop side by side or are surrounded by the twelve zodiac animals, symbolizing the passage of time and the harmonious order of the universe. The wind horse soars and leaps amidst colorful clouds and mountains, creating a dynamic sense of space. Through this, it conveys: the wind horse is entrusted with auspiciousness and carried by mindfulness. If used in contemplation, inner strength is thereby stimulated, and the state of mind naturally tends towards clarity and elevation.
Tiia Talvisara
Wind horses in the wild, all things in rhythm.
Windhorse
Image: @talvisara
Talvisara's watercolor work "Windhorse" depicts a white horse galloping across a vast plateau with lively and innocent brushstrokes. A brown eagle accompanies it, circling overhead. Snowy peaks and meandering rivers stretch towards the horizon, forming an expansive and flowing natural scene.
The purity and speed of the white horse point to the brightness of inner human energy. Various animals, in a posture of free galloping, merge into the rhythm of heaven and earth, symbolizing a quiet, harmonious, and profound resonance between humanity and nature. The fresh and bright colors intertwine with the vast space, presenting the beautiful scene of life spreading freely and flourishing upon the earth.
Shashi Bikram Shah
The celestial horse cleanses dust, thoughts and actions journey far.
Horses
Artist Shashi Bikram Shah is hailed as a "living legend" of contemporary Nepali art. Galloping, racing, and tension-filled horses are his highly recognizable core creative theme. Through bright colors and狂野 rhythms, he presents the immense energy contained within the horse. The ability to continuously convey such powerful energy without ever becoming monotonous is the extraordinary artistic capability for which Shashi Shah is highly acclaimed.
Horses
In the picture, horses of various sizes and colors surge forward in a spontaneous yet rhythmic manner, metaphorically representing human emotions, inner experiences, and soaring imagination. If one contemplates them quietly, it feels like being amidst a colorful carnival, moving and dancing together with thousands of horses. It is precisely this free experience, one that breaks away from exhaustion and rigidity, that allows the viewer's spirit to return to fullness in joy and continue moving forward on a more enduring and profound life journey.
Horses
Shashi Shah's visual language is highly symbolic. The imagery of the horse in his work is often understood as representing the Kalki avatar of Vishnu. According to classical scriptures, when righteousness (dharma) is on the verge of collapse in the world, Vishnu will descend as his tenth avatar, Kalki. He will come riding a white horse, wielding a sword to vanquish evil and restore cosmic order. Here, the white horse symbolizes the pure and swift divine force, heralding the end of the old age and the dawn of a new golden era.
Horses
Image: mona
The wind horse is the energy of this very moment. Only in this present moment can we truly feel our innate goodness.
——Sakyong Mipham
Pantao
The spirit horse soars, as free as the wind.
Wind Horses
The large-scale wind horse art installation created by the German Pantao Theatre resembles mythical spirit horses. Made from lightweight materials, they are held high on long poles and manipulated by trained performers using exquisite and vivid techniques.
Wind Horses
Image: @pantao.de
