Buddhist Wheel of Life or Bhavacakra

Buddhist wheel of life or Bhavacakra is one of the most important paintings in Tibetan Buddhism; the initial drawing was design by Buddha himself. Buddha really encourages this painting to be painted outside every Buddhist temples and monastery. The reason for this to painted out side the entire Buddhist temple and the monastery was to teach the profound Buddhist philosophy of life and perception to more simple-mind farmers or cowherds. So this image is just for communicating the Buddhist philosophy to general audience.

The centre layer of the wheel of life; The three poison 

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In the center of the wheel are three animals; a pig, a snake, and a bird. these three represent the three poison of in Buddhist philosophy, ignorance, aversion, and attachment, respectively. The pig represents ignorance. This conception is base on the Indian concept of the pig being a dirties animal, it sleeps in the dirtiest place, and eats whatever come to its mouth. A snake represents aversion or anger because the slightest touch to it will trigger a strike. The bird is for the attachment, desire of clinging. The bird, which they use in the painting, is an Indian bird that is very attached to its partner. These three animals represent three poison which is a core to our Samsaric existence

In most of the drawing, the three animals are shown coming out of the mouth of another that indicates Aversion leads to ignorance and Ignorance lead to aversion. Under the influence of these three poison beings create, beings create Karma. Shown in next level.

Second Layer: Karma

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Karma basically means cause and effect. it is said if you plant a seed of chilly, you will only get chilly. So is if you harm others, it will bring back negative impact to you. In the second level the Karma, the circle is divided into two half; the upper half is usually painted in white or bright color. it also has people moving up to the high realms. the lower half show people moving downward to the miserable stages and the path is colored dark.

This indicates if you do a good deed you will be happy and you will start moving upwards to the Buddha-hood or their next life six realms of Samsara. The next circle is six realm of Samsara.

Third Layer: The six realms of Samsara

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The third layer of the wheel represents the realms of Samsara. It is divided into six sections for the six realms. Realms are divided into three higher realms and three lower realms. Some painting might have five, as they would combine the god realm with Demigod realms.