Yak butter sculptures brighten Tibetan New Year celebrations in Xizang

These butter sculptures have appeared just in time for Tibetan New Year, which begins next week.

Known as "ziza" in the Tibetan language, the sculptures are crafted with refined yak milk that changes form when heated. This yak butter is mixed with mineral pigments to create the bright colors seen in the designs.

Flowers, trees, birds, animals and figures of humans and Buddha are seen in the sculptures, which often tell Buddhist stories. Tibetan butter sculptures were included in China's national-level Intangible Cultural Heritage List in 2006.

These items are a must-have for Tibetan New Year, or Losar, which is observed as a multi-day celebration in Xizang.  

Losar customs begin with house cleaning on the penultimate day of the Tibetan calendar and progress to Tibetan New Year's Day when people have an early bath, make sacrifices at shrines, and visit their neighbors to exchange gifts.