The Ashtamangala is a sacred suite of Eight Auspicious Signs endemic to a number of religions such as Hinduism, Jainism, and Buddhism.
These eight symbols of good fortune represent the offerings made by the gods to Shakyamuni Buddha immediately after he
attained enlightenment.
In Nepal, the Newar Buddhist form of the Astamangala replaces the golden wheel
with a pair of fly whisks or chamara, and commonly these eight Newari symbols form a composite vase-shaped arrangement.
Symbols are physical manifestation that can signify the ideology of a particular culture or that merely has meaning within a culture. Through the ages, symbols have allowed us to go beyond what is known or seen by creating linkages and allowed communication through the use of symbols.
We are surrounded by symbols all our lives. Yet, the ones that have defined our existence could have been overlooked, undervalued and never understood by us.
Delving into the symbols that represent my culture has allowed me to understand the nature and system of our beliefs and how it binds me to my society. It’s also empowered me, guided me and brought me closer that I lacked.
