Page 23 - Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols

Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Sy 9/1/10 11:29 AM Page 5

The Eight Auspicious Symbols 5

halls. The white or yellow silk parasol is an the lunar and solar channels or psychic
ecclesiastic symbol of sovereignty, whilst a nerves (Skt. nadi), which originate in the
peacock feather parasol more specifically nostrils and carry the alternating rhythms of
represents secular authority. breath or prana.
The dome of the parasol represents wis- In Buddhism the golden fishes represent
dom, and its hanging silk valances the vari- happiness and spontaneity, as they have
ous methods of compassion or skilful complete freedom of movement in the water.
means. The white parasol that was pre- They represent fertility and abundance, as
sented to the Buddha essentially symbolizes they multiply very rapidly. They represent
his ability to protect all beings from delu- freedom from the restraints of caste and sta-
sions and fears. tus, as they mingle and touch readily. Fish
often swim in pairs, and in China a pair of
fishes symbolize conjugal unity and fidelity,
THE GOLDEN FISHES with a brace of fishes being traditionally
(Skt. suvarnamatsya; Tib. gser-nya) given as a wedding present. As fish were so
plentiful in China, and formed an important
In Sanskrit the pair of fishes is known by the part of the staple diet, the Chinese word yu,
term matsyayugma, meaning ‘coupled fish’. meaning both ‘fish’ and ‘great wealth’, be-
This alludes to their origin as an ancient came synonymous with material prosperity.
symbol of the two main sacred rivers of In the Chinese tradition of feng-shui the
India, the Ganges (Ganga) and Yamuna. keeping of goldfish is similarly believed to
Symbolically these two great rivers represent attract wealth.

Various examples of the two golden fishes.