Page 33 - Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Symbols

Handbook of Tibetan Buddhist Sy 9/1/10 11:29 AM Page 15

The Eight Auspicious Symbols 15

Two eight-spoked golden wheels to the right and left, with a sixteen spoked double wheel at the center.

The auspicious wheel is described as being correspond to the four directions and ele-
fashioned from pure gold obtained from the ments, and symbolize the Buddha’s teachings
Jambud River of our ‘world continent’, Jam- upon the Four Noble Truths. The rim of the
budvipa. It is traditionally depicted with wheel may be depicted as a simple circular
eight vajra-like spokes, and a central hub ring, often with small circular gold embellish-
with three or four rotating ‘swirls of joy’ ments extending towards the eight directions.
(Tib. dga’ ’khyil), which spiral outward like a Alternatively it may be depicted within an or-
Chinese yin-yang symbol. When three swirls nate pear-shaped surround, which is fash-
are shown in the central hub they represent ioned from scrolling gold embellishments
the Three Jewels of the Buddha, dharma, and with inset jewels. A silk ribbon is often
sangha, and victory over the three poisons of draped behind the wheel’s rim, and the bot-
ignorance, desire, and aversion. When four tom of the wheel usually rests upon a small
swirls are depicted they are usually colored to lotus base.