Auspicious Symbols

The eight symbols of good fortune in Tibetan Buddhism, called ashtamangala in Sanskrit, are among the best-known and most meaningful motifs in Buddhist art. They appear on altars, thangkas, jewellery, prayer flags, altar objects and everyday items. In Tibet they are as ever-present as the cross or the Star of David in the Western world. Each sign has a precise meaning and a long history.

The eight signs are the parasol, the golden fish, the treasure vase, the lotus flower, the white conch, the endless knot, the victory banner and the dharma wheel. The parasol symbolises protection from all suffering. The golden fish stand for good fortune and freedom. The vase holds the treasure of awakening. The lotus flower embodies purity and awakening. The white conch spreads the teachings of the Buddha in all directions. The endless knot symbolises the inseparability of wisdom and compassion. The victory banner stands for the triumph of knowledge over ignorance. The dharma wheel embodies the teaching of the Buddha itself.

These eight signs are often shown as a group, as a complete system of blessings covering every aspect of the path to awakening. They have appeared on Tibetan objects for centuries and have spread from India through Tibet and Nepal into the wider world.

Alongside the eight ashtamangala there are further Tibetan symbols of good fortune represented in this collection. The snow lion, the national emblem of Tibet, a symbol of joy and fearlessness. The dragon, a symbol of strength, wisdom and protection. The swastika in its original Tibetan meaning as a sign of eternal life and good fortune, long before its appropriation by National Socialism.

At tibet-markets.ch we carry pieces bearing Tibetan symbols of good fortune in various forms and materials, all handmade and carefully chosen. Each piece carries the symbolism with the cultural depth and the respect it deserves.