An investigation of the relation among religious, aesthetic and power representations in sacred art using the examples of Tibetan Buddhist thanka paintings and Orthodox Christian icons

Abstract

The aim of this study is to investigate the relation among religious, aesthetic and power representations in Tibetan Buddhist thankas and Orthodox Christian icons because of the sharp differences between the two religions. Common ways of representation as well as differences can be seen in these sacred art forms as their aim is to communicate the religious and spiritual truths. After the main concepts of the religions are examined, the purpose of sacred arts, their methods of communication and place of visuality in these religions are investigated. Then icons and thankas are compared in terms of representation methods of religious figures, nature, death and power.