What Are Your 8 Auspicious Symbols?

One consequence of my happiness project is that I've grown to love numbered lists. My 12 Personal Commandments. My 8 Splendid Truths. The 10 Myths About Happiness.

Buddhism has many numbered lists -- the Triple Refuge, the Noble Eightfold Path, the Four Noble Truths -- which is surprising to me, given Buddhism's emphasis on gateless gates and transcending the bounds of rational thinking. There's a koan to be written about that paradox, for sure. Let's see... how about, "Use numbers to throw away enumeration."

I particularly love Buddhism's eight auspicious symbols:

1. Parasol
2. Golden fish
3. Treasure vase
4. Lotus
5. Conch shell
6. Endless knot
7. Victory banner
8. Wheel of Dharma

I made up a list of my eight auspicious symbols:

1. Bluebird (of course)
2. Ruby slippers (what I want is already within my grasp)
3. Dice (chance and fortune)
4. Blood (hard to explain: diabetes, hepatitis C, St. Therese of Lisieux)
5. Gold star (my right actions are their own reward)
6. Holstein cow (my family, Kansas City)
7. Peacock feather (symbols beyond words)
8. Birdhouse (for reasons soon to be revealed!)

This is so satisfying, I could keep going with more symbols. How about you? What would you choose for your auspicious symbols, and why?

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Comments

[samanatee]

01:38 AM on 03/02/2012

1. star
2. crescent moon
3. rowan tree
4. spiral (nautilus)
5. flowing water
6. bird (owl, eagle, flicker, hummingbird, robin)
7. pomegranate
8. candle

[KS25]

10:35 AM on 03/01/2012

1- Tree (Importance of knowledge and also staying connected to nature)
2- Ram (My astrological symbol and acknowledgement of who I am)
3- Peony (The peony takes several years to re-establish itself when moved, it blooms annually for decades once it has done so, this serves as a reminder to find strength, beauty and not lose hope)
5- Owl (Symbol of knowledge, internal and external)
6- Flute (Symbol of a love of music and the freedom expressed through it)
7- Plum (Symbolizes spring championing over winter, delight in the sweet things in life)
8- Starfish (Represents a love of the ocean and the idea of expanding in different directions)

[french queen13]

06:06 PM on 02/29/2012

I'm not much into symbols, but off the top of my head I'd say the fleur-de-lys (the royal badge of France, my beloved's coat of arms); cats (because they're cats!) and any portraits or chance references to my beloved.