This exquisite 25cm / 9.8" Green Tara statue represents the finest of Nepalese master craftsmanship—a pure copper hand-carved masterwork featuring complete 24k gold-gilding and the meticulous hand-carved details that distinguish true Himalayan art.
· Height: 25 cm / 9.8 inches
· Material: Pure copper with complete 24k gold-gilding
· Style: Green Tara in lalitasana posture with utpala lotus
· Origin: Masterwork hand-carved in Nepal, Kathmandu Valley
· Ideal for: Meditation space, home altar, spiritual art collection, protection practice
Green Tara is the most beloved female deity in Himalayan Buddhist tradition, embodying the swift compassion and enlightened activity of all Buddhas. As the "Mother of Liberation," she is known for her quick response to prayers, removing obstacles and saving beings from fear and danger. Her green color symbolizes the active, youthful energy of enlightened compassion, always ready to arise and help those in need. In Tibet, she is regarded as the active embodiment of compassion, the female aspect of Avalokiteshvara, and the mother of all Buddhas .
Seated in lalitasana—the posture of royal ease—upon a double-lotus throne, her right leg gracefully extended, symbolizing her readiness to rise and spring into action to protect beings from danger. Her right hand rests on her knee in varada mudra (the gesture of supreme giving), bestowing blessings and fulfilling the wishes of those who call upon her. Her left hand, held gracefully at her heart, cradles the stem of a blue utpala lotus that blossoms at her shoulder, representing purity emerging from the muddy waters of samsara. The lotus, with its long stem and open flower, is her signature attribute, symbolizing compassion that remains unstained by the world .
Her serene expression embodies the perfect balance of peaceful compassion and dynamic readiness—downcast eyes that gaze upon all beings with unconditional love, a gentle smile radiating the warmth of enlightened activity. The three eyes (including the wisdom eye in her forehead) are rendered with fine brushwork, each one conveying awakened awareness that perceives all suffering and responds with immediate compassion.
The complete 24k gold-gilding adds radiant luminosity to the entire sculpture. Multiple layers of pure gold are carefully applied using traditional techniques, creating a warm, glowing surface that catches light and draws the eye to Tara's serene presence. This full gold finish ensures the deity shines with maximum splendor from every angle, symbolizing the precious nature of enlightened compassion.
Every element of this hand-carved masterwork reflects the extraordinary skill of the master artisan. The elaborate five-jewel crown adorning her head represents the five wisdoms, each jewel rendered with crisp definition. Long silk ribbons cascade from her crown, their delicate folds carved with precision. Long earrings graze her shoulders, symbolizing her balanced awareness of all realms. Elaborate jewelry adorns her form: necklaces rest against her chest, armlets encircle her upper arms, bracelets adorn her wrists, and anklets decorate her feet—all rendered with meticulous attention by the master artisan. Celestial silks drape gracefully over her shoulders, their flowing folds demonstrating mastery of classical Himalayan techniques.
The double-lotus throne beneath her features layers of individually carved petals—each petal precisely shaped, their tips slightly curled, creating a throne of sacred beauty. The upper layer of petals faces upward, representing liberation, while the lower layer faces downward, symbolizing compassion descending to benefit all beings. The utpala lotus at her shoulder is carved with gracefully curling stems, its blossoms opening in perfect symmetry, each petal individually shaped.
According to traditional sources, Green Tara holds a uniquely important position in Himalayan Buddhist practice. She is considered the "Mother of All Buddhas" and the embodiment of their compassionate activity. Twenty-one forms of Tara are revered in the tradition, with Green Tara as the principal figure from whom all others emanate . Her mantra—"Om Tare Tuttare Ture Svaha"—is recited for protection, healing, and the removal of obstacles on the spiritual path. She is particularly associated with the activity of the buddhas, representing the swift, dynamic energy that responds instantly to the cries of beings .
Historically, Tara emerged from the tears of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, as he wept seeing the suffering of beings. From his tears, Tara manifested in both peaceful and wrathful forms, promising to protect beings from the eight great fears and lead them to enlightenment . This origin story emphasizes her intimate connection to compassion and her role as the active expression of enlightened care.
For more than a millennium, the Kathmandu Valley has nurtured a living lineage of metal sculptors who have preserved the secrets of ancient lost-wax creation. This 25cm Green Tara masterwork represents that living heritage—a transmission of artistic tradition passed from master to disciple through countless generations, now embodied in a single perfect form. The combination of pure copper construction, complete 24k gold-gilding, master-level carving, and the gracefully rendered form with extended leg and utpala lotus represents the finest in Himalayan sacred art—a timeless expression of the Mother of Liberation who responds instantly to all who call upon her.
