People associate Tibet with fascinating culture, ​breathtaking Buddhist temples, and monks dressed in ​their traditional red Kasaya ceremonial robes. It is ​this last image that I want to focus on. Why do Kasaya ​have such vivid colours? What connotations does the ​colour red have? Lastly, how are the Kasayas given ​their rich colour?

In the culture of Tibetan Buddhism, red holds a particular significance, symbolising a certain domain of ​archetypal deities in visualisations and mandalas. According to some Tibetans, red is said to be a vestige ​of blood ceremonies vanquished by the Buddha. It is said that monks, who dedicate their lives to ​practising Buddhism and spreading the teachings of the Buddha, wear the red Kasaya in daily life to ​symbolise the sad experiences the Buddha is believed to have had.

Additionally, red is a symbol of bravery in Tibetan tradition. ​Princess Wencheng, spouse of the king Songtsen Gampo, is ​credited with starting the tale during the Tang dynasty. Tibet ​was a perilous location to visit in those days, therefore ​Wencheng's choice to be married there was seen as brave. ​The Tibetans decorated her tomb in crimson paint following ​her death as a way to honour her bravery. Since then, a lot of ​Tibetan clothing and structures have been painted red to ​symbolise the people's bravery.

Tibetans use a distinct dyeing technique to achieve the ​characteristic colour of the robes. Lac and cinnabar dyes are ​used instead of saffron. This is because they can withstand ​Tibet's colder environment and are more suited for the ​clothes worn there. Each Kasaya takes months to make by ​hand, meaning a great deal of labour goes into each one.

Every Kasaya has a great deal of symbolic meaning and represents countless hours of work and skill. ​The next time you see a monk donning a kasaya, remember that there is much more to the robe than ​meets the eye.

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