Aro Yeshé is shown here wearing the gomtag he was bequeathed by his mother and Tsa-wa’i Lama, Khyungchen Aro Lingma. He wears the gomtag according to the male position of the solar and lunar channels – that is to say, with the red solar section on the left and the white lunar section on the right.
The gomtag was initially given to Khyungchen Aro Lingma by ’a-Shul Pema Legden, who in turn had received it from Khalden Lingpa. It was said to have been made from a wonderful Chinese brocade with a cloud design. ’a-Shul Pema Legden had a waistcoat and Dorje Zahorma hat made of the same fabric.
Wearing a gomtag is symbolic of the practice of rTsa rLung, and within the Aro gTér they are worn by the naljorpas and naljormas rather than the ngakpas and ngakmas – for whom there are other specific costumes. The lineage Lamas are the only ones to wear both costumes.