Glossary: The Eight Buddhist Symbols

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The Eight Buddhist Symbols

Also known as the "Eight Buddhist Treasures". As a decorative motif, the Eight Buddhist Symbols first appeared on ceramics during the Yuan dynasty. The arrangement of the emblems were random before the Yongle reign during the Ming dynasty, when the order of the symbols was the wheel, the conch, the canopy, the umbrella, the lotus flower, the fish, the vase, and the knot.

From the Wanli reign to the Qing dynasty the order was the following and as illustrated above, from top left:

The Chakra or, the flaming Wheel. The Wheel of the Law crushes all delusions and superstitions. A symbol of Buddha's Person, infinite changing. Also called the Wheel of Life, Wheel of Truth, Holy wheel, Wheel of 1,000 Spokes, Indestructible Wheel of the Cosmos.
The Conch Shell is a symbol of royalty, dignity and high rank, the Sacred Lungs of Buddha, spiritual authority.
The Umbrella is a symbol of spiritual authority and charity.
The Canopy or Bell implies respect, veneration, signals, martial enthusiasm. The sound disperses evil spirits.
The Lotus symbolizes faithfulness, symbol of truth, fertility and purity because its blossoms emerge pure and beautiful out of muddy waters.
The Vase symbolizes perpetual harmony, supreme intelligent triumph over birth and death. A ceremonial jar for relics.
A Pair of Fish are a symbol of marriage, conjugal felicity, fertility, tenacity. A charm against evil.
The "Endless Knot" or Buddha's Entrails receives and forwards abundance, symbol of longevity, infinity, and eternity

After the Qianlong reign, on some vessels the order was not followed. Wares with this design were all produced in Jingdezhen except for some fa hua glazed wares.