TheTibetan cultureis known for traditional sand paintings, in which multicolored sand is delicately arranged inintricate mandalas, displayedfor a time, and thenceremoniouslyswept away. The short-lived sand paintings are said to reflect the temporary nature of all material forms.

A less well-known form of traditional art from the Tibetans is theirbutter sculpture. The largest and most elaborate of these are usually made around the time of the Tibetan New Year (Losar), when giant monuments are built ofyak butter or ghee(clarified butter) mixed with fat and wax. Illuminated with colored lamps and decorated with colorful dyes, the intricate sculptures commemorate various traditional stories and fables.

Like the sand paintings, the butter sculptures aretemporary. After days, weeks, months, or years, they are ceremonially destroyed.