The wrathful red protector, rTse dmar chos skyong, often known as Tsu’i Marpo, rides his black horse across a sea of blood above pointed mountain peaks. He has bulging eyes, fanged teeth and a skull crown surmounted with a canopied helmet. Clad in armour, he wears golden earrings, a chest mirror and tall patterned boots. He brandishes a spear in the air with his right hand whilst his left holds a noose in the threatening gesture. He is equipped with arrows and a bow, carried in a tiger-skin case. His horse is adorned with a golden bridle, ornaments and a multi-coloured saddle cloth. Seated in the clouds above are Amitābha Buddha on the left and Khedrup Chenpo Pelden Phurbu on the right. Beneath the hooves of the horse are a fully ordained monk, a black hat Cham dancer, a black ma-mo spirit and a warrior hero. At the bottom of the painting amongst the mountains is a mound of dragon skeletons, on top of which is a human skeleton making an offering. The background of the composition depicts a temple-like structure adorned with skulls and skeletons, emerging from the blue-green peaked mountain tops. rTse dmar chos skyong is a King of Demons. He made a promise in front of Ācārya Padmasambhava, Je Tsongkhapa and Panchen Chokyi Gyaltsen to protect the teachings of Buddha.
