Thangka proportion grid

A figure drawn from a measured grid.

Also known as: Iconometric grid, Thangka measurement grid

In Tibetan:: ཐིག་ཚད།

CulturalEngineering & technicalReligiousQuiet profile

Meanings

The measured grid on which the proportions of a Tibetan painted figure are set out.

Culturally establishedVerified fact
Sets out the proportions of a figure in Tibetan religious painting before it is drawn.
Contexts: History, Public information
Culturally establishedVerified fact
Prescribes proportions rather than suggesting them, so a figure's dimensions are a matter of correctness rather than of an artist's judgement — the grid makes the painting reproducible across centuries and workshops.
Contexts: History, Public information
Culturally establishedTradition
Different classes of figure have different prescribed grids, so the grid used identifies what is being painted before any feature is drawn.
Contexts: History, Public information

Visual description

A ruled grid of squares laid over the painting surface before drawing, with the figure's features fixed at specified intersections and proportions counted in grid units.

A fuller structured visual breakdown is not yet documented for this symbol.

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

The symbols of religious and spiritual traditions
Religious-studies scholarship and the traditions' own published accounts · retrieved 2026-08-27
Cited for the identity of a symbol and for the account a tradition gives of it, attributed to that tradition. Never cited for the truth of any religious claim. Where a symbol is sacred, restricted or contested, the record says so and does not reproduce restricted material.

Last reviewed 2026-08-27

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Meanings

The measured grid on which the proportions of a Tibetan painted figure are set out.

Culturally establishedVerified fact

Sets out the proportions of a figure in Tibetan religious painting before it is drawn.

Contexts: History, Public information

Culturally establishedVerified fact

Prescribes proportions rather than suggesting them, so a figure's dimensions are a matter of correctness rather than of an artist's judgement — the grid makes the painting reproducible across centuries and workshops.

Contexts: History, Public information

Culturally establishedTradition

Different classes of figure have different prescribed grids, so the grid used identifies what is being painted before any feature is drawn.

Contexts: History, Public information

Confidence

IdentityModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the identity is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Historical originLow confidence: Low confidence because the historical origin is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far, but early or supporting evidence is limited, but the regional or cultural match to this specific claim is not precise.
Current useModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the current use is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.
Visual matchModerate confidence: Moderate confidence because the visual match is documented in encyclopedic references, but only a single source has been found so far.

Sources

The symbols of religious and spiritual traditions
Religious-studies scholarship and the traditions' own published accounts · retrieved 2026-08-27
Cited for the identity of a symbol and for the account a tradition gives of it, attributed to that tradition. Never cited for the truth of any religious claim. Where a symbol is sacred, restricted or contested, the record says so and does not reproduce restricted material.

Last reviewed 2026-08-27