Tibetan monks create massive, colorful religious sculptures using only yak butter.

The tradition of butter carving, known as 'tshon rtsi'i bzo rig' in Tibetan, dates back to the 15th century during the reign of Tsongkhapa, the founder of the Gelug school of Buddhism. The primary material is yak butter, which has a higher melting point and firmer consistency than cow butter due to its high concentration of saturated fatty acids. This allows it to maintain structural integrity even in large-scale formats.The Butter Lantern Festival, or Chotrul Duchen, occurs on the 15th day of the first month in the Tibetan calendar. Monks at monasteries like Kumbum in Qinghai province spend months preparing these displays. They mix the butter with mineral pigments to achieve vivid colors that remain stable and bright. Because the human body temperature is roughly 98.6 degrees Fahrenheit, it is high enough to liquefy the fat, so monks keep their hands near freezing temperatures during the carving process.Some of the largest structures are supported by wooden frames and can stand over 30 feet tall. These sculptures are not just artistic feats but are deeply rooted in the Buddhist philosophy of impermanence. Despite the months of labor required to create them, the works are traditionally dismantled or burned in a single night. This practice serves as a meditative reminder that all physical forms are fleeting and should not be the subject of attachment.