Eight Auspicious Symbols of Tibetan Buddhism
The Eight Auspicious Symbols are associated with gifts made to Buddha upon his enlightenment.
The first four are:
1) the Precious Parasol (symbolizing protective powers of the Buddhist doctrine, it is usually placed over Buddha images to protect them from evil spirits);
2) the White Conch Shell (symbolizing the propagation of the Buddhist doctrine, blown to signal prayer time and celebrate the Buddha's enlightenment and the potential of all humans for enlightenment);
3) the Golden Fishes (representing abundance, felicity and liberation from the Wheel of Life); and
4) the Lotus Flower (symbolizing purity and compassion of Buddha because it is a beautiful thing that rises from muddy waters).
The other Eight Auspicious Symbols are:
5) the Banner of Victory (marking the victory of Buddhist wisdom over ignorance and the expulsion of all worries);
6) the Knot of Eternity (representing the eternal, intertwined passage of time, harmony, love and unity);
7) the Vase of Great Treasures (containing the jewels of enlightenment, the water of eternity and votive offerings to the deities); and
8) the Wheel of Law (representing the Eightfold Path to salvation and the movement of Buddhist laws).
Also known as the Wheel of Dharma, the Wheel of Law turns 12 times, three times for each of the Four Noble Truths.
