Secret Symbols
EXPLORING THE DIFFERENT MEANINGS WOVEN INTO BHUTAN'S TEXTILES
Destination 5 minute read
Bhutan is famous for the quality of its textiles, from traditional ghos to richly woven blankets and scarves. Weaving is part of bhutan’s cultural heritage; tradition and identity are worked into every cloth through hidden meanings, from auspicious motifs to emblems of purity. Here, we share our guide to decoding the symbols behind two of bhutan’s most famous weaving techniques.
Weaving is the main source of income for most Bhutanese women. Their products range from everyday items to highly intricate embroidery. The most famous textiles regions are in East and Central Bhutan, with a huge variety of patterns and compositions created using specialised materials; cotton and nettles in Trongsa, sheep and yak wool in Bumthang, and in many districts, silk and raw silk imported from nearby India. Every design is profoundly influenced by Bhutan’s relationship with nature and religion, exemplified by the Trima and Hor weaving methods, and the symbols woven into each.
Trima
Trima, literally translating to ‘coiling the warp’, is a distinctively Bhutanese weaving technique. First of all, the textile is woven and embellished with long, horizontal lines closely resembling embroidery. Afterwards individual silk threads are meticulously tied, intertwining extra weft yarns within the main weave to create motifs raised above the rest of the cloth. Trima is primarily used as a technique for weaving Kushuthara — Bhutan’s ‘Black Tie’ equivalent — worn only on special occasions such as festivals or weddings.
Hor
Hor weaving is characterised by its use of horizontal and vertical stripes, which are created by alternating colours or yarns in the warp threads of a weave. It’s a cross-hatching patterning method; the more cross-hatch there is, the more complex the weave. The result is a grid-like pattern, often used in shawls and blankets because of its durability.
Here are some of the Buddhist symbols you might spot in each:
Dorje is a Sanskrit word usually defined as ‘thunderbolt’. Its symbol is a sceptre, signifying the power of enlightenment and absolute stability.
Dorji jadram is a double thunderbolt representing the indestructible nature of Bhuddism.
Phenphenma resembles both the butterfly and the eight-pointed star, for beginnings, salvation and super-abundance.
Phub is a triangle pattern with successive rainbow colours promoting a long life.
Sorjephub combines the dorje thunderbolt and phub rainbow symbols.
Yungdrung represents the spiritual crossroads where North, South, East and West meet, symbolising the balancing forces of the universe.
Torma are ritual offerings, usually sculpted from dough and butter.
Pema is a lotus flower, representing mental and spiritual purity.
Shing-lo symbolises the Tree of Life. It’s the most difficult pattern of all to weave, and is only worn by Bhutan’s royal family.
Whatever your preferences, our expert team at COMO Uma Paro is on hand to help you plan your stay.
