Butter sculptures 'bloom' at Ta'er Monastery during Lantern Festival

As the Lantern Festival unfolds, the renowned butter sculpture exhibition at Ta'er Monastery in northwest China's Qinghai Province once again opens its doors to visitors. This annual display, representing the pinnacle of Chinese butter sculpture craftsmanship, draws devout pilgrims and visitors from all directions.

The temple's butter sculpture art, also known in Chinese as "suyou hua" (butter flower), is a national intangible cultural heritage. Every year, a team of 40 to 50 artisan monks carefully select themes and dedicate around three months to sculpting these intricate creations made from yak butter.

The larger butter sculptures primarily feature religious themes, but also depict Tibetan opera, mythology, and historical figures. Each display is a masterpiece, comprising elaborate pavilions, statues of deities, and countless figures – ranging from towering bodhisattvas to minuscule birds and flowers.

The annual Butter Sculpture Lantern Festival at Ta'er Monastery has continued uninterrupted for centuries. Every Lantern Festival, locals and visitors alike gather to craft and admire these exquisite works, offering prayers for peace and prosperity in a tradition that endures through time.