Dakinis are goddesses, many fierce, some with animal heads, who are usually portrayed in a dancing pose. The founders of Tibetan Buddhist sects are often depicted in tankas. The siddhas are the eighty-four great sorcerers of Tibetan Buddhism. Held in high esteem because they have attained the power over death and are above the laws of nature, they all work for the benefit of humankind and can perform miracles. The arhats are the sixteen disciples of the Buddha who have been given the charge of preaching the law of Buddha.
Mudras are hand gestures which signify ceratin actions.
When the Budhha gained enlightenment, despite the forces of mara, who tried to distract him from his goal, he called on the earth with this gesture to be his witness to the deads that made him deserving of enlightenment. Dharmacakra-mudr a represents the turning of the wheel of law or teaching. Varada-mudra is the gesture of wish bestowing or gift giving. The arm down and forward, the palm of the opened hand faces outward and is extended toward the viewer as if offering somethin. Abhaya-mudra is a gesture of assurance.