Colour symbolism in the art of Thangka

The article examines the origin of symbolism and the cult of colour on the example of colour symbolism in the art of Thangka; it analyses two cultural and logical approaches to colour symbolism comprehension: using inductive method (generalization of natural attributes of colour) and deductive method (further transformation of colour symbolism into a social phenomenon and extension of colour semantic field). Two main symbolic systems generated by colour symbolism in Tibetan culture in the deductive process of its transformation into a social phenomenon - the “system of objectification” and the “system of humanization and deification”, their implementation in the Thangka paintings and the features of serving the needs of religion are investigated in this article.