Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism: Parasol

Buddhist, one of the ashtamangala (“eight auspicious signs,” symbolizing the eight-fold paths of Buddhism. The canopy symbolizes preservation and protection of the dharma against suffering and sorrow. The parasol is an ancient emblem of wealth and status, patterned after the decorative canopies which have been traditionally used to protect and cover royalty. The parasol can also be viewed as a sort of axis mundi, a symbolic tree of life, and can be likened to the sacred Bodhi tree.