Stock Photo - An ancient fresco of the Tibetan Buddhist deity Palden Lhamo painted on a wall at Thiksay Gompa in Ladakh, India. Palden Lhamo is a protecting Dharmapala of the teachings of Gautama Buddha in the Gelug school of Tibetan Buddhism. She is the wrathful deity considered to be the principal Protectress of Tibet. Palden Lhamo is the consort of Mahakala and has been described as the tutelary deity of Tibet and its government, and as celebrated all over Tibet and Mongolia, and the potent protector of the Dalai and Panchen Lamas and Lhasa. She is the only female among the traditional 'Eight Guardians of the Law' and is usually depicted as deep blue in colour and with red hair to symbolize her wrathful nature, crossing a sea of blood riding side-saddle on a white mule. - LADAKH, INDIA, 12/07/2010