Taklamakan            The Land of No Return      © 2001, John A. Schettler

Images related to the setting, religion and culture that form the background of Taklamakan.

A segment of a wall painting found in the Kizil Caves where Nala participated in the “Lotus Festival.”

The paintings were often comissioned by wealthy families and ministers. They were painted by unnamed artists who would live at the cave site while the work was in progress.

The paintings depict images of the Buddha and other figures from the panoply of Buddhist religion.

Below: A Tibetan woodslip used for sending messages over long distance...

While it is doubtful that our computer disks or hard drive files will survive intact for more than a few years or decades, the Tibetan woods can still be read after a thousand years!

Tagla Membar, a firey diety or demon spirit believed to prowl the wild lands in search of errant souls.

Artuk uses the inherent fear of such spirits to cow the Tebu clansmen when he is first sent to visit the Tark in Charchan.

Click to view more images:

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Gallery 2

Taklamakan            The Land of No Return      © 2001, John A. Schettler