Tibetan Sacred Symbols: Vajra, Dorje, Mandala & Eight Auspicious Signs

BY NICOLE LAU

Introduction to Tibetan Sacred Symbols

Tibetan Buddhism expresses profound spiritual truths through a rich visual language of sacred symbols—from the vajra (thunderbolt scepter) representing indestructible reality, to the mandala mapping the cosmos and enlightened mind, to the Eight Auspicious Signs adorning temples and homes. These are not mere decorations but teaching tools, meditation supports, and embodiments of enlightened qualities. Each symbol condenses complex philosophical concepts into visual form, serving as reminders of the path, offerings to the enlightened ones, and keys to unlock deeper understanding. By contemplating these symbols, practitioners connect with the wisdom they represent and transform ordinary perception into sacred vision.

This comprehensive guide explores Tibetan Buddhism's most important sacred symbols, their meanings, uses, and spiritual significance.

The Vajra and Bell

Vajra (རྡོ་རྗེ་ Dorje)

Meaning: 'Diamond' or 'Thunderbolt'
Symbolizes: Indestructible reality, skillful means (upaya), masculine principle
Form: Symmetrical scepter with prongs at both ends

Significance:

• Indestructible like diamond
• Powerful like thunderbolt
• Represents the unchanging nature of reality
• Skillful means and compassion
• The masculine, active principle

Structure:

• Central sphere (dharmakaya - truth body)
• Lotus petals (sambhogakaya - enjoyment body)
• Five or nine prongs (nirmanakaya - emanation body)
• Prongs curve inward and meet (unity)

Bell (Ghanta)

Symbolizes: Wisdom (prajna), emptiness, feminine principle
Sound: The sound of emptiness, impermanence

Significance:

• Wisdom realizing emptiness
• The feminine, receptive principle
• Sound represents impermanence
• Awakens from delusion

Vajra and Bell Together

• Held together in ritual (vajra in right hand, bell in left)
• Union of wisdom and compassion
• Union of masculine and feminine
• Union of emptiness and form
• The complete path to enlightenment

The Mandala (དཀྱིལ་འཁོར་)

Meaning and Purpose

Mandala: 'Circle' or 'Center'
Represents: The cosmos, the enlightened mind, the palace of a deity

Types:

• Painted mandalas (thangkas)
• Sand mandalas (created and destroyed)
• Three-dimensional mandalas (architecture)
• Visualization mandalas (in meditation)

Structure

A typical mandala contains:

1. Outer Circle: Ring of fire (purification, transformation)
2. Second Circle: Ring of vajras (indestructibility)
3. Third Circle: Ring of lotus petals (spiritual rebirth)
4. Square Palace: Four gates in four directions
5. Center: The deity or Buddha

The Four Directions

• East: White, water, mirror-like wisdom
• South: Yellow, earth, wisdom of equality
• West: Red, fire, discriminating wisdom
• North: Green, air, all-accomplishing wisdom
• Center: Blue, space, dharmadhatu wisdom

Sand Mandalas

The creation and destruction of sand mandalas teaches:

• Impermanence of all phenomena
• Non-attachment to beauty and effort
• The process is more important than the product
• Dedication of merit to all beings

The Eight Auspicious Signs (Ashtamangala)

Overview

The Eight Auspicious Symbols are ancient Indian symbols adopted by Buddhism, representing offerings to enlightened beings and qualities of the awakened state.

1. The Parasol (छत्र Chatra)

Symbolizes: Protection from suffering
Meaning: Spiritual protection, royal dignity
Teaching: The Dharma protects from the heat of delusions

2. The Golden Fish (सुवर्णमत्स्य)

Symbolizes: Freedom and fearlessness
Meaning: Liberation from samsara
Teaching: Like fish swimming freely in water, the enlightened move freely through existence

Form: Usually depicted as a pair

3. The Treasure Vase (कलश Kalasha)

Symbolizes: Spiritual and material abundance
Meaning: Inexhaustible treasures of the Dharma
Teaching: The teachings are an endless source of benefit

4. The Lotus (पद्म Padma)

Symbolizes: Purity and enlightenment
Meaning: Rising above the mud of samsara
Teaching: Like the lotus growing from mud but remaining unstained, enlightenment arises from samsara

Colors:

• White: purity of body
• Red: purity of speech
• Blue: purity of mind
• Pink: the Buddha himself

5. The Conch Shell (शङ्ख Shankha)

Symbolizes: The sound of the Dharma
Meaning: Awakening from ignorance
Teaching: The Dharma's sound awakens beings from delusion

Form: White, spiraling to the right (rare and auspicious)

6. The Endless Knot (श्रीवत्स Shrivatsa)

Symbolizes: Interdependence and eternity
Meaning: The intertwining of wisdom and compassion
Teaching: All phenomena are interconnected; cause and effect are endless

Also represents:

• The Buddha's infinite wisdom
• The eternal continuum of mind
• The union of wisdom and method

7. The Victory Banner (ध्वज Dhvaja)

Symbolizes: Victory over obstacles
Meaning: Triumph of knowledge over ignorance
Teaching: The Buddha's victory over Mara and the four maras (death, delusion, emotions, ego)

8. The Dharma Wheel (धर्मचक्र Dharmachakra)

Symbolizes: The Buddha's teachings
Meaning: The turning of the wheel of Dharma
Teaching: The Eightfold Path and the continuous cycle of teaching

Structure:

• Hub: discipline
• Spokes (usually 8): the Eightfold Path
• Rim: concentration

Other Important Symbols

Om Mani Padme Hum (ॐ मणि पद्मे हूँ)

The six-syllable mantra of Avalokiteshvara:

• Om: Body, speech, mind of Buddha
• Mani: Jewel (compassion and bodhicitta)
• Padme: Lotus (wisdom)
• Hum: Indivisibility of wisdom and compassion

Prayer Flags

Colors (in order):

• Blue: sky/space
• White: air/wind
• Red: fire
• Green: water
• Yellow: earth

Purpose:

• Prayers and mantras printed on cloth
• Wind carries blessings to all beings
• Fading represents impermanence

Prayer Wheels

• Contain mantras (usually Om Mani Padme Hum)
• Spinning = reciting the mantra
• Clockwise rotation
• Accumulates merit and purifies karma

Phurba (Ritual Dagger)

• Three-sided blade
• Destroys obstacles and negative forces
• Pins down demons and delusions
• Used in Vajrakilaya practice

Colors in Tibetan Buddhism

The Five Buddha Colors

• White: Purity, Vairochana, space
• Blue: Wisdom, Akshobhya, water
• Yellow: Wealth, Ratnasambhava, earth
• Red: Compassion, Amitabha, fire
• Green: Action, Amoghasiddhi, air

Using Sacred Symbols

In Practice

• Meditation supports (visualizing mandalas)
• Altar decorations (offerings)
• Ritual implements (vajra and bell)
• Reminders of the path (Eight Auspicious Signs)
• Protection (prayer flags, wheels)

Respect and Proper Use

• Treat symbols with reverence
• Don't place on the floor or step over
• Use in appropriate contexts
• Understand the meaning, not just decoration

Further Study

Primary Texts:

• The Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols by Robert Beer
• Symbols of Tibetan Buddhism by Loden Sherap Dagyab

Conclusion

Tibetan sacred symbols—from the vajra and bell to the mandala to the Eight Auspicious Signs—form a complete visual language expressing the path to enlightenment. Each symbol condenses profound teachings into accessible form: the vajra represents indestructible reality, the mandala maps the enlightened mind, the lotus shows purity arising from mud, and the endless knot reveals interdependence. By contemplating, visualizing, and working with these symbols, practitioners connect with the wisdom they embody, transforming ordinary perception into sacred vision and recognizing that all appearances are expressions of enlightened mind.

May you recognize the sacred in all symbols. May the teachings be revealed through form. May all appearances become pure vision.