Bhutan’s Weaving Tradition

Bhutan is called the ‘Southern Medicine Valley of the Shambhala Kingdom’ in the Buddhist scriptures. Legend has it that Princess Wencheng brought textile making techniques to Bhutan, and the First King of Bhutan integrated spirituality and natural laws into the weaving process. 

Therefore, weaving in Bhutan is not a job per se, but a Buddhist practice and a carrier of love. It is said that the earliest weavers were blessed. When weaving, they sang sutras, burned incense, and wove the five elements of nature, the sound of the four seasons, and the beauty of the universe into colorful silk cloth.

Over the centuries the weavers in Bhutan have woven harmony among people and between people, nature, and the universe into the most beautiful fabrics. Thanks to Bhutan’s extraordinary commitment to happiness and contentment of its people, this tradition lives on. What has been passed down through weaving is not only the wisdom of the ancestors but also a way to appreciate the beauty of life and reach true happiness. The traditional clothing does not just function as a garment—it is the outer manifestation of the inner spiritual values passed down intact from a divine source. 

It requires our weavers 3,000–5,000 hours (1.5–2 years) to weave a piece of cloth used to make a single garment. Weavers practice meditation, living in the moment, feeling the purity and uniqueness of oneself, the harmony with the surroundings, and contentment and completeness in life. Each piece off fabric is an artwork infused with spirituality. One could described each piece as having a unique story in the world. In Bhutan, fabric is passed down for generations along with the craft of textiles  the culture and wisdom, and a way to beauty of life and true happiness.