The earliest references to these symbols of good fortune are said to be found in Sanskrit and Buddhist scriptures. According to these texts, they were objects given to the Buddha as symbols of good fortune. Brahma offered the wheel of dharmaIndra the conch with the turn to the right, Sthavara offered the vase with the nectar of immortality, the king of the nagas the parasol, the infinite knot was offered by Lakshmi and the banner of victory was granted by Shiva.
These auspicious symbols bring happiness and well-being in the present and in the next lives, and are depicted on the walls and columns of many Tibetan monasteries.
The most important symbols of Buddhism
The parasol
According to the bundle of good fortune, the parasol is a symbol of protection. In the same way that an umbrella protects us from the rain or the sun, the umbrella protects us from negative thoughts or the negativity of others.
Provides protection against all evils, setbacks, negative actions, accidents and against the influence of bad moods such as depression, discouragement, anxiety, etc. In tantra, this umbrella represents the central channel and the upper part the crown chakra.
gold fish
The gold fish symbolizes the auspiciousness of all living beings in a state of fearlessness, without danger of drowning in the ocean of suffering and with the possibility of migrating from one place to another freely and spontaneously, in the same way that fish swim freely. and without fear through the water.
the precious vase
It represents the neck of the Buddha and mentions his teachings as a treasure of jewels that does not stop sprouting. It is a sign of spiritual achievement and the fulfillment of material desires.
The vases are used in some tantric rituals where they are filled with precious substances, sealed and placed on altars, homes, lakes or fountains to attract abundance and harmony in the environment.
the conch
This symbol has been used since ancient times as a battle horn. In the Hindu epic story of mahabharata, the sound of the hero, Arjuna, terrified his enemies. Likewise, the white shell represented the Brahmin caste.
In Buddhism, the white conch shell symbolizes the sound of dharma that awakens beings from ignorance.
the infinite knot
The Eternal Knot, with its flowing lines intertwined in a closed pattern, represents the dependent origination and interrelationship of all phenomena. It can also mean the mutual dependence of religious doctrine and secular life, of wisdom and compassion, or, at the moment of enlightenment, the unions of emptiness and clarity.
the wheel of dharma
The golden wheel symbolizes the auspiciousness of the turning of the precious wheel of the Buddha’s doctrine, both in his teachings and in his achievements, in all spheres and at all times, which allows beings to experience the joy of wholesome actions and release.
The Victory Banner
The flag of victory represents the victory of the activities of the body, speech and mind of one’s own and others over obstacles and negativities. It also symbolizes the complete victory of the Buddhist doctrine over all harmful and pernicious forces.