Luck. Charm. Destiny. These are archetypal themes across countries and cultures. Every culture and society has a set of beliefs in which certain actions or objects are considered lucky, while others are deemed unlucky. Buddhists and Hindus also have their own sets of lucky charms. While these may vary to some degree between different sects, there are eight objects universally defined as lucky. Together, they form the Ashtamangala.
Ashtamangala refers to the “Eight Auspicious Symbols” in Sanskrit. These eight objects are not only considered lucky but are also equally holy. They symbolize fortune, spiritual awareness, and optimism in Buddhism and Hinduism and are often part of sacred rituals, ceremonies, and art.
Origins of Ashtamangala
Ashtamangala has been a part of Hindu traditions since ancient times. They are prescribed in various Hindu scriptures. Later on, these symbols were gradually adopted in Buddhism and eventually in Jainism as well. In this process, the objects considered auspicious within the tradition were replaced or modified.
Over the centuries, Buddhism gradually spread across Asia, including Tibet and Nepal. As part of the Buddhist tradition, the Buddhist Ashtamangala symbols gained prominence in local art and culture.
As in other Buddhist societies, these symbols hold a revered place in Nepal, especially within the Buddhist and Newar communities. The Newars are renowned worldwide for their artistry. The Ashtamangala symbols are prominently featured in traditional thangka paintings, temple decorations, and intricate mandalas.
The art of creating Ashtamangala symbols is passed down from one generation to the next. This tradition of passing on ancestral knowledge has kept the ancient art of crafting Ashtamangala symbols alive in Nepal. Each of the eight symbols conveys a distinct meaning and symbolism rooted in ancient knowledge. Though the objects included in Ashtamangala differ among Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain traditions, they all provide a shared meaning to their followers.
Variations of Ashtamangala
The Hindu Ashtamangala are not uniform across all Hindu sects. Some of the most commonly included symbols include: swastika, kalasha, darpana, pair of fish, diya (lamp), vyajana bheri (fan), and singha as the Ashtamangalas.
They are used in rituals and ceremonies to symbolize prosperity, spiritual growth, and highlight the auspiciousness of the occasion. Here is a brief description of what these symbols mean:
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Swastika: The swastika is a holy symbol that has been in use in Hindu, Buddhist, and Jain cultures and traditions for a long time. It represents good luck and the cycle of life. The symbol also holds significance in cultural practices, such as welcoming positive energy and fostering spiritual awareness.
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Purna-Kalasha (Full Vase): The Purna-kalasha is a divine, water-filled vase that denotes prosperity and fertility. It is mostly used in major Hindu rituals to invoke spiritual forces for health and abundance. This holy symbol is deeply rooted in cultural traditions and represents essential aspects of life. Its significance is linked to the continuous flow of life and renewal.
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Darpana (Mirror): The Darpana, or mirror, represents honesty, self-awareness, and inner reflection. It serves as a reminder to think deeply about oneself and seek spiritual wisdom. This symbol plays an important role in promoting mental and spiritual clarity.
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Pair of Fish: The pair of fish, used in Hindu and Buddhist cultures, symbolizes peace, growth, productivity, and spiritual awareness. They also serve as emblems of independence and the never-ending flow of energy, representing life's movement and the constant change experienced in human existence.
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Lamp (Dipa): The Dipa, or oil lamp, is vital in many Hindu traditions and practices. It symbolizes the guidance of knowledge and the elimination of ignorance. It is said that the lamp marks victory over darkness, signifying the journey toward understanding and spiritual awakening.
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Fan (Vyajana): The fan, or Vyajana, is often seen in majestic and high-profile religious ceremonies and represents calm, safety, and satisfaction. It is associated with bringing peace and divine blessings.
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Kettledrum (Bheri): The Bheri, or kettledrum, is a sacred instrument used to announce significant events or occurrences. It symbolizes awareness and community gatherings in major cultural and religious traditions. The playing of the drum gathers people for important rituals and festivals. Its resonant echoes notify communities of significant moments in cultural life.
- Lion (Raja): The lion symbolizes strength, courage, and royal authority. In Hindu and Buddhist cultures, it represents power, protection, and leadership. The lion is often associated with rulers and gods, embodying courage and justice. As a guardian figure, it encourages confidence and resilience in the face of challenges.
Ashtamangala in Buddhism
Similarly in Buddhism as well the symbols used in the Ashtamangal collection can differ from one sect to another.
Image Source: https://kashgar.com.au/blogs/ritual-objects/the-astamangala-or-eight-auspicious-symbols-in-buddhism
Some of the most prominent symbols used by Tibetan Buddhist including the Newars of the Kathmandu are:
Lotus (Padma): The Lotus or Padma is often compared with purity and enlightenment of awareness. As it grows from the mud to bloom into the flower, it represents the soul getting enlightenment. Other than this, it signifies the problem of solving obstacles and achieving victory in spiritual practices.
Endless Knot (Shrivatsa): The Endless Knot, or Shrivatsa represents the connection and unity in human life and also the never ending cycle of human existence. The knot is considered a holy symbol of unbreaking the bond between the things.
Golden Fish (Matsya): The Golden Fish or Matsya, represents the freedom from hardship and the sequence of birth. It is often portrayed as showing freedom, growth and spiritual awareness. In major cultures, fish are considered pure and they signify the ways of waters in life. It also works as a divine symbol for achieving enlightenment.
Parasol (Chatra): The Parasol or Chatra acts as the protector from the evil eye and acts as the strong shield for spiritual awakening. In the ancient days they represented the protection of gods and other spiritual heads.
Wheel of Dharma (Dharmachakra): The Wheel of Dharma, or Dharmachakra represents the teaching of Buddha and the journey towards spirituality. It also represents the human cycle of life like birth, journey towards enlightenment, death and rebirth. The wheel of Dharma serves as the reminder that spiritual awakening will take all your sufferings.
Treasure Vase (Kalasha): The Treasure Vase, or Kalasha, signifies the never ending spiritual wealth and plenty of life. It is mostly used in Hindu Culture as the welcoming gestures to good health and spiritual awakening to the fullest.
Conch Shell (Shankha): The Conch Shell, or Shankha, is often used in Hindu culture to announce important events or holy teachings. The sound of Conch sound is considered to be purifying the mind and the soul which will assist in spiritual achievement. It serves as a reminder to follow the right path of virtue.
Victory Banner (Dhvaja): The Victory Banner, or Dhvaja symbolises the victory over evil. It is mostly seen in the war battles or ceremonial context to show victory over evil and gaining moral strength. It serves as the representation of course and strength.
Ashtamangala in Jainism
Jainism and Buddhism are often considered similar. Though these religions do have overlapping core values and symbolism, they are different. Jainism is older than Buddhism and it has its own sets of Ashtamangala. These are elaborated below in left to right and top to bottom order.
Image Source: https://jainsattva.com/symbols/exploring-the-sacred-symbols-of-jain-ashtamangala/
Svastika: The Svastika or swastika is a holy symbol that has been in use in Jain culture for a quite long time and it represents the goodluck and cycle of life. This ancient symbol holds deep values in cultural practices like welcoming the positive energy, and spiritual awareness.
Shrivatsa: The Shrivatsa is a holy symbol often connected with the 24 Tirthankaras in Jain Dharma. It displays the unity and the connection among all the human beings. This symbol is mostly seen in big Jain temples as it represents purity and goodluck.
Nandavarta: The Nandavarta is a design that has similar resemblance with Swastika. The holy designs symbolizes the growth and the pathways towards spiritual enlightenment. This pattern is made in so many rituals and festivals to welcome the blessing and promote good events.
Vardhmanaka (Food Vessel): The Vardhmanaka, or food vessel is linked with supplying others and making sure the overall growth of the community. It symbolizes kindness and abundance and a reminder about sustaining life through generosity.
Bhadrasana (Seat):The Bhadrasana, or seat represents spiritual practice and acts as the symbol of clarity and sacred knowledge. In the ancient tradition and practices, it is used as the space of meditation.
Kalasha (Pot): The kalasha is a divine, water-filled vase that denotes prosperity and fertility. It is mostly used in major hindu rituals to call on spiritual forces on health and abundance. This holy symbol is well established on cultural traditions and displays the essential parts of life. Its significance is connected with continuous flow of life and renewal.
Pair of Fish: The Pair of Fish symbolizes fearlessness, freedom, and spiritual liberation. They represent the idea of navigating through life's challenges with grace and without fear. In many cultures, fish are considered to be symbols of fertility and transformation. The pair of fish encourages the pursuit of spiritual liberation and the overcoming of worldly fears.
Darpana (Mirror): The Darpana or mirror displays honesty, self-awareness and inner reflection. It works as the prompt to think deeply about oneself and seek spiritual wisdom. This acts as a major role in promoting mental and spiritual visibility.
Despite the variations in the symbols across these three traditions, their usages in all these traditions shows their relevance and appeal among the community members. In recent times, the adoption of Ashtamangalas has gone beyond religion or cultural lines. They are considered to assist individuals to have a fulfilling life, mindfulness and wholeness.
Ashtamangala and the Artistry of Newar Traditions
Newari artisans are famous for making Ashtamanagala in distinct forms, each carrying spiritual and cultural importance. Ashtamanagala paintings, skillfully crafted, are often commonly displayed in homes and monasteries to represent wisdom, purity, and prosperity. These paintings not only increase the aesthetic but also support mindfulness and positive energy.
Another distinct form of Ashtamangala is Stone carvings, which are often seen as the worship status in hindu temples, as center points of prayers and rituals. These stone carvings represent divine energy and foster spiritual growth of religious traditions.
The wooden carvings of Ashtamangala are mostly made in the designs of main doors, which symbolize the continuous blessing and security for families. They are believed to bring good fortunes and repel negativity, making them spiritually meaningful and artistically beautiful.
The exceptional skills and expertise of Newari artisans in making different forms of Ashtamangala comes from the generations of knowledge passed down within the families. By the help of traditional tools and equipment, they make each piece filled with cultural meaning and spiritual value, so that its creation becomes a masterpiece.
