BHUTAN -
Phallus Paintings Tradition
Phallus paintings in Bhutan are esoteric symbols, which have their origins in the Chimi Lhakhang monastery near Punakha, the former capital of Bhutan. The village monastery was built in honour of Lama Drukpa Kunley who lived in the 15-16th century and who was popularly known as the "Mad Saint" for his unorthodox ways of teaching, which amounted to being bizarre and shocking.
These explicit paintings, though embarrassing to many urbanites now (this folk culture is now informally discouraged in urban centres), can be seen painted on the walls of houses and buildings throughout Bhutan, particularly in villages. Traditionally symbols of an erect penis in Bhutan have been intended to drive away the evil eye and malicious gossip. Also Bhutanese people considered that is a sign a fertility when painted on houses. These paintings or objects aren't considered as pornographic or sexual as it's not the case for bouthanese people and it's a part of their culture.
The Center of Bhutan Studies have inferred that the phallus was an integral part of the early ethnic religion that existed in Bhutan before Buddhism became the state religion.
The phallic symbols are, however, generally not depicted in community temples and dzongs, which are places of worship where lamas or Buddhist monks and nuns who have adopted celibate lifestyles and pursue divine ideals live. However, rural and ordinary houses continue to display them.
BEST TIME to VISIT BHUTAN
BEST TIME to TRAVEL to BHUTAN
From November to April
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye
Talo Festival - These clowns are entertaining the public with these phallus. It's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior as it is part of their ancestral culture
Talo Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Talo Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Talo Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Gasa Festival - This lady is teased by this clown and it's not considered in Bhutan as an inappropriate behavior
Gasa Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Gasa Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Gasa Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Gasa Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Gasa Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Gasa Festival - Even this policeman is teased by this clown
Gasa Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
Gasa Festival - Festivals are family events and the clowns are disturbing the artists, teasing the spectators and also they have very often phallus to play and joke. Phallus in Bhutan aren't considered as sexual or pornographic but part of their ancestral culture.
near Chimi Lhakhang Monastery - a phallus at the bottom of a stupa
near Chimi Lhakhang Monastery - a phallus at the bottom of a stupa
near Chimi Lhakhang Monastery - a phallus at the bottom of a stupa
near Chimi Lhakhang Monastery - a touting advertising sign for a special name bar - In fact it's a normal bar and the nectar are drinks you can find in any bar
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
2 Phallus painted on a house
These paintings or objects aren't considered as pornographic or sexual as it's not the case for bhutanese people and it's a part of their culture.
Phallus painting at the entrance of a shop
Phallus painting at the entrance of a shop
Souvenir shop advertising with a phone number
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye
Phallus painting on a wall
Explicit phallus sculpture is displayed in the garden of one house in the countryside to drive away the evil eye
Explicit phallus sculpture is displayed in the garden of one house in the countryside to drive away the evil eye. We suppose the house is "to let".
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye
shop with a large collection of souvenirs from Bhutan
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
Souvenir shop - Phallus with many sizes and colors are the best sellers
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
Shop called Fertility with an explicit phallus painting
a shop named Phallus handicraft
SIgn for the direction of the toilets with an original arrow
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
Souvenir shop
very explicit phallus painting on a wall
Explicit phallus painting on a house wall
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.
A man is painting the phallus for the souvenir shop
Countryside house with a painted phallus
Souvenir shop where a Painted phallus is pointing the entrance - shop is called Phallus handicraft
Souvenir shop with Phallus
Explicit phallus paintings are displayed on houses in the countryside to drive away the evil eye or some said it's a symbol of fertility.