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Dharma Focus
The Eight Auspicious Symbols
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What are the eight
auspicious symbols?
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The eight auspicious symbols (skt. astamangala) are the most well know group of buddhist symbols, and are
traditionally list in the order of: (1) a white parasol; (2) a pair of golden fishes; (3) a treasure vase; (4) a lotus: (5) a
right-spiraling white conch shell; (6) an endless knot; (7) a victory banner; (8) a golden wheel.
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The Precious Parasol (chattra)
The protection parasol symbolizes royalty, protection and spiritual power; it represents the protection from painful
heat of suffering, desire, obstacles, illnesses, and harmful forces.
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The Precious Fish (suvarnamatsya)
The golden fish symbolizes happiness and spontaneity, good fortune and abundance, fertility and salvation, freedom
from the restraints of caste and status, conjugal unity and fidelity; it represents the emancipation of one's
consciousness from all sufferings, and the ability to liberate beings from the ocean of cyclic existence .
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The Precious Vase (kalasha)
The great treasure vase symbolizes inexhaustible treasures; it represents long life, wealth, prosperity, and wish-
granting. The jewels on its upper rim represents Buddha, dharma, and sangha.
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The Precious Lotus (padma)
The white lotus, which grows from the dark watery mire but is unstained, symbolizes mental and spiritual purity; it
represents purity and renunciation, and the blossoming of wholesome activities.
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The Precious Conch (sankha)
The right-turning conch symbolizes power, authority, sovereignty, and fearlessness in proclaiming the truth of the
dharma.; it represents the spread of the Buddha's teachings of the Dharma and an awakening from the slumber of
ignorance.
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The Precious Knot (shrivasta)
The endless knot symbolizes longevity, continuity, love and harmony; it is an auspicious geometric diagram that
represents the infinite wisdom and compassion of the Buddha.
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The Precious Banner (dhvaja)
The banner of victory symbolizes victory of the Buddha’s victory over the four maras; it represents the Buddha's
teachings and wisdom, and also complete victory of the Buddhist doctrine over death, ignorance and all the
negativities of this world. (the four maras : maras of the five aggregates of personality; maras of emotional defilements; maras of
death; and maras of desire and temptation.)
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The Precious Wheel (dharmachakra)
The Wheel of Dharma symbolizes sovereignty, protection, and creation; it represents the Dharma , tuning the wheel of
dharma means revelation of Buddha's doctrine both in teachings and realizations enabling us to experience the joy of
wholesome deeds and liberation.
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