Group of 11 of the 12 Zodiac animals as Tsakli

Description:

Mongolia, early 20th cent.
Je ca. 7,6 x 6,7 cm
Béla Kelényi describes in the 2002 publication 'Demons and Protectors - Folk Religion in Tibetan and Mongolian Buddhism' these Tsakli - illustrated on page 56 - as follows: 'As we have mentioned, the signs of the twelve-year cycle are based on the Chinese zodiac representing the movement of Jupiter, which, combined with the five elements, produces the sixty-year cycle. In China, the sixty-year cycle originally emerged from the combination of the 'ten celestial trunks' and 'twelve terrestial branches'; however, the latter merged into the five elements, in accordance with the changes of yin and yang. Only the system of the twelve signs came to be known in Tibet, with which are associated the years and elements as well as the cardinal points and genders, and thus the system can determine the characteristic features of a person born In a given year. The series is incomplete, consists of eleven pictures, and presents the sadaks of the years.
The colour of the figures or of their characteristic Mongolian attire is identical with the colour of the element associated with them.
The first year of the year cycle is the Mouse. The colour of its body and attire is blue, its element is Water, and its cardinal point is North. The inscription on its back says 'Mouse' (byi 1). The second year is the Ox, which has a yellow body and attire, its element is Earth, and its direction is North-East, inscribed 'Ox' (glang 2). The third year is the Tiger, which has a yellow body and green attire, its element is Wood, and its cardinal point is East, inscribed Tiger' (stag 3). The fourth year is the Hare, which has a yellow body and light blue attire, its element is Wood, and its direction is South-East, inscribed'Hare' (yos 4). The fifth year is the Dragon, whose head is in flames: its attire is yellow, its element is Earth, and its direction is South-East, inscribed'Dragon' (brug 5). The sixth year is the Snake, which has a red body and red attire, its element is Fire, and its cardinal point is South, inscribed 'Snake' (sbrul 6).The seventh year is the Horse, which has a red body and red attire, its element is Fire, and its cardinal point South, inscribed 'Horse' (rta 7). The eighth year is the Sheep, which has a yellow body and attire, its element is Earth, and its direction is South-East, inscribed'Sheep' (lug 8). The ninth year is the Monkey, which has a white body and attire, its element is Metal, and its cardinal point is West, inscribed 'Monkey' (spre'u9). The tenth year is the Bird. This is missing from the cards. The Bird's element is Metal, its cardinal point is West. The eleventh year is the Dog, which has a yellow body and attire, its element is Earth, and its direction is North-West, inscribed 'Dog' (khyi 11). The twelfth year is the Pig, which has a blue body and attire, its element is Water, its direction is North, inscribed 'Pig' (phag 12).', Ink and colors on paper.
Joachim Baader Collection, München -
Published and exhibited as mentioned above Ferenc Hopp Museum Budapest 2003 - Signs of age, minor wear