Eight Auspicious Symbols & Objects

Skt., astamangala
Tib., bKra-shis rTags-brGyad

A set of Buddhist altar objects and/or symbolic drawings also known as Eight Emblems of Good Portent. They represent the symbols of Ashtamangaladevi, a goddess of good fortune; yet are also seen as the legendary gifts presented to Buddha Shakyamuni once he had attained enlightenment.

Although the Ashtamangala are often depicted as a complete set of eight, or as pairs of two, individual symbols occur sometimes in paintings of deities or teachers, signifying the respective quality as being embodied by the figure in question.

Sanskrit		Tibetan
dhvaja	Banner of Victory	mChog-gyi rGyal-mTshan
sankha	Conch Shell	Dung-dkar gYas-'khyil
dharmacakra	Dharma Wheel	gSer-gyi 'khor-lo
matsyayugma	Two Golden Fish	gSer-gyi Nya
srivasta	Knot of Life	dPal-gyi Behu
padma	Perfect Lotus	pad-ma bZang-po
chattra	Prescious Parasol	rin-chen gDugs
kalasha	Vase of Great Treasure	gTer-chen-pahi bum-pa

There also exists a tradition which depicts all eight symbols in one composite drawing that itself takes the form of a large vase. This grand symbol comprising all aspects of auspiciousness is then known as rTags-brGyad Bum-gZugs.