Rock paintings of the Khoit Tsenkher cave

Rock paintings of the Khoit Tsenkher cave date back to the Upper Palaeolithic period (20,000-15, 000 years ago). In one of corners of the cave measuring 2.5 m high and 1.5-2.0 m deep, numerous symbols and animals were painted overlapping each other on the ceiling and wall. A quiet standing stag was portrayed clearly among the animals. Also a standing buffalo with horus looking ahead was represented separately. In another corner of the cave, many animals including oxes, ibexes, elephants, ostriches were pictured, overlapping each other. It is interesting that dotted lines were drawn over the ostriches. On its wall in a cave hollow measuring 10 m long and 8 m wide a camel with to humbs was portrayed. Also many symbols and trees were painted at the height of 2.0-2.5 m not far from the wall, where the camel was portrayed. Lions, elephants, argali sheep, ibexes, ostriches, antelopes, camels, as well as symbols were painted with mineral-based paints of rosy and brown colours on the walls deep inside the cave. By the method of painting of different kinds of animals, their colour and view, the Khoit Tsenkher cave rock paintings show their original artistic, cultural and historical features which are different from the other rock paintings in Mongolia and her neighbouring countries. Some particular parts of the animals such as their horns, necks, humbs are depicted with an exaggerated hyper-realism typical of the Palaeolothic period. Spots adjacent to the images of goats and ostriches carved on the Khoit Tsenkher cave rock are not her typical features of the Palaeolothic period by which flocks of animals were represented by sports, rather repeated painting of individual animals many times over.

Green Tara

B.Sharav, the famous Mongolian artist of Bogd Khaan Palace, painted this Green Tara combining classic and modern portrayal methods. Shyamatara is depicted as a beautiful young women. Amitabha is on the top of her head. She wears a foliate petal tiara, ring shaped earrings inset with precious stones, a necklace, armlets and bracelets. Green tara holds the stem of a lotus flower in both hands. She sits on a lotus base with her pendent right leg supported by a lotus, while her left leg is folded. Blue Tara and Yellow Tara stand in the lower right and left corners. It was painted following precisely the iconography the mystic incantation form of the deity. Drawing of chrysanthemums and lotus flowers around her makes the painting more elaborate in detail and some parts are painted partially in gold.

During the suppression, Lama Ovgonkhuu of Erdenezuu Monastery in Kharakhorum kept this painting.

Photo by Gansukh.N, Source: Mongolian Antique Museum