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Eight Auspicious Signs of Good Fortune in Tibetan Buddhism

Signs of good fortune have been established in Hindu mythology since ancient times. Tibetan Buddhism has a group of eight symbols that are considered to be the oldest and most well known. These symbols are:

1. The Golden Fish

2. The Parasol

3. The Urn

4. The Lotus Flower

5. The Conch Shell

6. The Infinite Knot

7. The Wheel

8. The Flag

Quote by Buddha

"Better than a thousand hollow words, is one word that brings peace."

Om Mani Padme Hum

Om Mani Padme Hum is the most frequently used Mantra in Buddhism, the syllable "Om" represents body, spirit and the speech of Buddha; "Mani" is for the path of teaching; "Padme" for the wisdom of the path, and "hum" indicates to the union of wisdom and the path to it.

In various places in Tibet there are piles of stones with the inscription ‘Om Mani Padme Hum’, the mantra for compassion and benevolence, on each stone. Devout Buddhists coming upon these piles customarily walk around it clockwise, offer a prayer and then move on. While stupas, religious shrines, prayer wheels and Mani stones are to be walked around in a clockwise manner, it is tradition to walk counterclockwise around a Bon monastery.