In the Tibetan tradition the very last step in painting a thangka is drawing the eyes of the deity. This moment is called opening the eyes, and many painters do it on an auspicious day, sometimes after a short prayer. Until then the painting is seen as unfinished, which is why the eyes are often the most carefully drawn part of the whole work.

After that, many owners like to have the thangka blessed or consecrated by a monk or lama. Mantras such as Om Ah Hum are sometimes written in red or gold on the back of the canvas, behind the head, throat and heart of the figure. It is not compulsory for a decorative piece, but if the painting is for a shrine or daily practice it is worth asking about. Buy authentic thangka painting from a seller who can tell you whether the back carries these syllables and whether a blessing can be arranged.

Either way, treat the finished painting with a little respect: hang it high, keep it clean and roll it with care when you move house.

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