Talking about the Tibetan costume culture, especially accessories, people often focus on Tibetan jewelry such as gold, silver, coral, cloudy amber and other types of jewelry. However, they often ignore the Tibetan belt. Tibetan belts feature a distinct style of decorative art and are in of themselves considered marvelous pieces of art.
In Zhazha Village of Lhoka Prefecture's Comai County, women's belts are heavily decorated with Han-style embroidery. These decorations are also said to sometimes still be associated with Princess Wencheng. According to legend, when Princess Wencheng came to live in Lhoka's Chamdo Monastery she wore clothing inside out when visiting Zhazha Village. When the village women saw her clothing, they admired it and decided to imitate her dressing style. Until now both sides of the village women’s clothing can be worn. For every day work and living the black or darkly colored side will be worn faced-out. For festivals and celebration the brightly colored striped side will be worn outward. Their belts also continue to feature longevity characters or motifs in their patterns.
Tibetan-style belts were originally knitted by hand using materials such as cotton, silk or wool. due to the materials and technology, only colored lines and shapes and different-sized patterns could be woven.
Later, fancy belts became more complicated. Different patterns symbolize different meanings. For example, a lotus symbolizes purity and insight; a dragon and phoenix or peonies symbolize wealth and good fortune; diamond patterns symbolize freedom; fish or scales symbolize ancient coins and wealth; a triangle is a symbol of a sacred mountain deeply revered by the Tibetan people; a cross or swastika pattern symbolizes the sun's rays; five colored stripes symbolize the beautiful emotions evoked by a rainbow. All of the patterns of a Tibetan women's belt together constitute a deeper lesson or meaning.
In addition to hand-woven belts, another famous Tibetan-style belt is a leather belt inlaid with satin, silver, and so on. Men most often wear long dark reddish-brown cloth belts. For festivals or dances though they will wear belts of various colors with fringe on the edges. Wealthy families choose more ornate belts often inlaid with agate, turquoise, silver, or are even plated in gold.
Some women's belts are made with high quality leather with two narrow ends and a broad middle portion. The bottom surface is lined with woolen material, brocade or plain cloth. The outer portion is bordered by a red color. Finely cut dyed sheepskin are then used to create symmetrical patterns that are evenly sewn with fine thread. The alternating colors and craft are absolutely exquisite.
With development of the tourism industry, handmade belts have become popular with many tourists. During resting time in the countryside, weaving belts became a relaxing art for many women who would enjoy getting together and learning different techniques from one another. Belts inlaid with agate, silver or gold are valued at thousands of yuan.
Besides being adorned with symbolic embroidery and decorations or exquisite inlays, belts can also be decorated with objects of the everyday. In Shigatse some men wear belts with a knife, bow and arrow and even chopsticks. At the waist hangs a decorated sheath with silver gilt that sparkles in the sun. The small knives many men and women wear serve as utensils or objects for everyday use, which hang on the right side of their belts.
Besides Tibetan knives, some women also carry needles on their elaborate belts. To help spark a fire some women care with them flint and wool fire starters. Other women wear small purses from their belts. Relying on their rich mineral resources, a variety of silver and copper ornaments hang from their waists, making rhythmic sounds as they walk.
