Palbeu Ribbon

A saffron field with a fret roundel at the centre wrapped in a wreath of peonies and blue lotus, a flowering vine curling into each corner, and a wide saffron border of ribboned endless knots and small emblems. The ribbons are how the eight auspicious symbols are traditionally drawn, each emblem tied with a floating ribbon, so the palbeu appears round the frame again and again while the field inside is an offering of flowers: peonies, which came into Tibetan painting from China as flowers of abundance, round a seat held between lotus petals. A rug of many small blessings, and a natural gift at Losar.

• Palbeu
• Fret roundel
• Hand-knotted