Khata

Khata
A Tibetan khata.
Chinese name
Traditional Chinese	哈達
Simplified Chinese	哈达
Transcriptions Standard Mandarin Hanyu Pinyin hǎdá Wade–Giles ha^3-ta^2 IPA [xàtǎ] Yue: Cantonese Jyutping haa^5 daat^6
Tibetan name
Tibetan	ཁ་བཏགས་
Transcriptions Wylie kha btags THDL kha tak Tibetan Pinyin katak
Mongolian name
Mongolian	хадаг

Blue hadags tied to a stone stele at the former Manjusri Monastery, Mongolia

A khata (Tibetan: ཁ་བཏགས་ ; Dzongkha: བཀབ་ནས kapni, Mongolian: хадаг IPA: [χɑtɑk], Nepali: खदा khada) is a traditional ceremonial scarf in Tibetan Buddhism. It originated in Tibetan culture and is common in cultures and countries where Tibetan Buddhism is practiced.

The khata symbolizes purity and compassion and are worn or presented with incense at many ceremonial occasions, including births, weddings, funerals, graduations and the arrival or departure of guests. It is usually made of silk. Tibetan khatas are usually white, symbolising the pure heart of the giver,^[1][2] though it is quite common to find yellow-gold khata as well. Tibetan, Nepali, and Bhutanese khatas feature the ashtamangala. There are also special multi-colored khatas. Mongolian khatas are usually blue, symbolizing the sky. In Mongolia, khatas are also often tied to ovoos, stupas, or special trees and rocks.

References

1. Staff. "Khata/Tibet "roof of the world"". Oracle ThinkQuest Education Foundation. Retrieved 2010-02-04.
2. "Ethnic Culture Thrives After Sichuan Quake". Chengdu: China Daily. 2012-05-10. Retrieved 2012-05-15.