The conch presented to Emperor Qianlong from the Panchen Lamas

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Photo shows a conch of the 48th year of Qing Emperor Qianlong's reign (1783) collected by the Palace Museum where the Fortune and Longevity of Sumeru: An Encounter between the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the Palace Museum exhibition is held from Dec. 10, 2019 through Feb. 29, 2020. It is speculated that this shell was presented by the seventh Panchen Lama since it is similar in style to other things given by him to Emperor Qianlong.

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Photo shows a conch of the 45th year of Qing Emperor Qianlong's reign (1780) collected by the Palace Museum where the Fortune and Longevity of Sumeru: An Encounter between the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the Palace Museum exhibition is held from Dec. 10, 2019 through Feb. 29, 2020. As a gift from the sixth Panchen Lama to commemorate Emperor Qianlong's 70th birthday, it not only has commendable craftsmanship, it also has special historical value.

The conch is imprinted with white worship symbols, which appear in Tibetan folk culture. The Tibetan people also have proverbs that state "the heart must be as pure as a conch, and behavior must be straight like an arrow shaft", "the auspicious khata scarf is tied to the conch, and kelsang flowers are embroidered on brocade." 

In traditional Tibetan customs, homes will sound the conch as a declaration when babies are born. In wedding ceremonies, the conch is also sounded to greet the bride. The conch is also used to fight rain disasters in farming and to pray for happiness. It conveys the good wish of Tibetans.

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Photo shows a white conch of the 50th year of Qing Emperor Qianlong's reign (1785) collected by the Palace Museum where the Fortune and Longevity of Sumeru: An Encounter between the Tashi Lhunpo Monastery and the Palace Museum exhibition is held from Dec. 10, 2019 through Feb. 29, 2020. It was dedicated by the seventh Panchen Lama to Emperor Qianlong.

Because the white conch is one of the eight auspicious treasures, the pattern or real object of a white conch can be seen almost everywhere in Tibet and in Tibetan-habited areas. Many real conch shells are placed horizontally and become containers for nectar or spices. In various plastic arts, the conch is held in the left hand by the idol, and it is a symbol of wisdom and justice.