Bhutan's Famous Penis Art

The Kingdom of Bhutan is a small landlocked country in the Eastern Himalayas, located between Tibet and India. The subalpine mountains in the north (with peaks above 23,000 ft) rise from the country's southern subtropical plains. Highly influenced by Tibetan Buddhist culture, Bhutan is world-famous for its colorful phallic murals and carvings. The ubiquitous penis imagery is associated with fertility, and is embraced in home decoration to encourage children, attract wealth, and ward off the “evil eye.”

In this slideshow we share some of our favorite Bhutan penis murals.

Traditional Bhutan house Sopsokha Punakha

A traditional bhutanese house with multi-colored wood frontages, small arched windows and phallus images. Local garuda and deer are also depicted on this photo from Sopsokha village, Punakha, Bhutan. Traditionally symbols of an erect penis in Bhutan have been intended to drive away the evil eye and prevent malicious gossip.

The phalluses painted on Bhutanese homes are also meant to bring fertility and protect the family from evil.

Wood carved penises are also common talismans for good luck and protection.

Hand on phallus illustration on house in Bhutan

The ejactulating phallus is an even more potent representative of fertility.

Carved and colorfully painted penises for sale to tourists in the Punakha area.

A house in Thimphu, Bhutan. Throughout the country erect phalluses can be found painted on many homes for good fortune.

Esoteric Symbol penises on a wall in Bhutan

Esoteric symbols, the explicit and anonymous paintings can be seen on walls of houses and buildings throughout Bhutan, particularly in small villages. They are often credited to Lama Drukpa Kunley, who lived in the 15-16th Century.

Fertility penis symbols on either side of a house door

Phallic fertility symbols painted outside house, Pana, Bhutan

A phallic carving hanging over a door offers good luck to all that enter.