This set of symbols is very popular in Tibet
and Nepal, but is also known in Sanskrit as
'Ashtamangala', ashta means eight and
mangala means auspicious. The Umbrella
or parasol embodies notions of wealth or
royalty, for one had to be rich enough to
possess such an item, and further, to have
someone carry it. It points to the "royal ease" and power experienced in the Buddhist life of
detachment. It also symbolizes the
wholesome activities to keep beings from
harm (sun) like illness, harmful forces,
obstacles and so forth, and the enjoyment of
the results under its cool shade. The Golden
Fish were originally symbolic of the rivers
Ganges and Yamuna, but came to represent
good fortune in general, for Hindus, Jain and Buddhists. Within Buddhism it also
symbolizes that living beings who practice
the dharma need have no fear to drown in
the ocean of suffering, and can freely migrate
(chose their rebirth) like fish in the water.
The Treasure Vase is a sign of the
inexhaustible riches available in the Buddhist
teachings, but also symbolizes long life,
wealth, prosperity and all the benefits of this
world. (There is even a practice which
involves burying or storing treasure vases at
certain locations to generate wealth, eg. for
monasteries or dharma centers.) The Lotus
is a very important symbol in India and of
Buddhism. It refers to the complete
purification of body, speech and mind, and
the blossoming of wholesome deeds in
liberation. The lotus refers to many aspects
of the path, as it grows from the mud
(samsara), up through muddy water it
appears clean on the surface (purification),
and finally produces a beautiful flower
(enlightenment). The white blossom
represents purity; the stem stands for the
practice of Buddhist teachings which raise
the mind above the (mud of) worldly
existence, and gives rise to purity of mind.
An open blossom signifies full enlightenment
a closed blossom signifies the potential for
enlightenment.
