page_title: Lakshmi
section_title: Symbolism and iconography
hierarchical_section_title: Lakshmi / Symbolism and iconography
caption_attribution_description: English: Carvings on the rear side of North Torana, Sanchi, India Français&#160;: Sculptures sur la face arrière du Torana Nord, Sanchi, Inde
context_page_description: In Hinduism, Lakshmi is the Goddess who leads to one's goal, or lakshya, and was first mentioned in the Śrī Sūkta of the Rigveda. She is both the wife and divine energy of Vishnu, one of the principal deities of Hinduism and the Supreme Being in the Vaishnava tradition. She is often depicted with Saraswati and Parvati as forming the holy trinity.
  For mankind, 8 types of goals are necessary according to Hinduism: spiritual enlightenment, food, knowledge, resources, progeny, abundance, patience, and success. Hence there are Ashta Lakshmis: Aadi, Dhaanya, Vidya, Dhana, Santaana, Gaja, Dhairya, and Vijaya Lakshmi.
  In Hindu religion, Lakshmi emerged from the churning of the primordial ocean, choosing Vishnu as her eternal consort. As mentioned in Vishnu Purana, when Vishnu descended on the Earth as the avatars Rama and Krishna, Lakshmi descended as Sita, Rukmini and Satyabhama. Lakshmi is also known by the honorific Shri, as she is endowed with six auspicious qualities. She represents the material world of the earthly realm as the mother goddess, referred to as Prithvi Mata; she is also known by her twin identities as Bhudevi and Sridevi, and in another form, as Nila Devi.
context_section_description: Lakshmi is a member of the Tridevi, the triad of great Goddesses. She represents the Rajas guna, and the Iccha-shakti.
  The image, icons, and sculptures of Lakshmi are represented with symbolism. Her name is derived from Sanskrit root words for knowing the goal and understanding the objective. Her four arms are symbolic of the four goals of humanity that are considered good in Hinduism: dharma (pursuit of ethical, moral life), artha (pursuit of wealth, means of life), kama (pursuit of love, emotional fulfillment), and moksha (pursuit of self-knowledge, liberation).
  In Lakshmi's iconography, she is either sitting or standing on a lotus and typically carrying a lotus in one or two hands. The lotus carries symbolic meanings in Hinduism and other Indian traditions. It symbolises knowledge, self-realisation, and liberation in Vedic context, and represents reality, consciousness and karma ('work, deed') in the Tantra (Sahasrara) context. The lotus, a flower that blooms in clean or dirty water, also symbolises purity regardless of the good or bad circumstances in which it grows. It is a reminder that good and prosperity can bloom and not be affected by evil in one's surrounding.
  Below, behind, or on the sides, Lakshmi is very often shown with one or two elephants, known as Gajalakshmi, and occasionally with an owl. Elephants symbolise work, activity and strength, as well as water, rain and fertility for abundant prosperity. The owl signifies the patient striving to observe, see and discover knowledge particularly when surrounded by darkness. As a bird reputedly blinded by daylight, the owl also serves as a symbolic reminder to refrain from blindness and greed after knowledge and wealth has been acquired.
  In some representations, wealth either symbolically pours out from one of her hands or she simply holds a jar of money. This symbolism has a dual meaning: wealth manifested through Lakshmi means both materials as well as spiritual wealth. Her face and open hands are in a mudra that signifies compassion, giving or dāna ('charity').
  Lakshmi typically wears a red dress embroidered with golden threads, symbolizes fortune and wealth. She, goddess of wealth and prosperity, is often represented with her husband Vishnu, the god who maintains human life filled with justice and peace. This symbolism implies wealth and prosperity is coupled with maintenance of life, justice, and peace.
  In Japan, where Lakshmi is known as Kisshōten, she is commonly depicted with the Nyoihōju gem (如意宝珠) in her hand.
caption: Bas relief of GajaLakshmi at the Buddhist Sanchi Stupa, Stupa I, North gateway, Satavahana dynasty sculpture, 1st century CE.[30]
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