This thangka depicts the legendary King Gesar of Ling, who ruled about a thousand years ago and is venerated by Buddhists in Central Asia, Mongolia, Tibet, and Bhutan. He is celebrated for his military exploits in defending the Buddha-Dharma against various adversaries including the twelve-headed cannibal demon Lutzen to the north, Kurkar, the demonic king of Hor, the King of Jang in China, and the King of Mon in the Himalayas. The Gesar epic is recognized as the longest narrative poem in the world, with over a million verses. It is believed that possessing this thangka offers protection against all enemies.