Benzaiten

Benzaiten (Japanese弁 才 天or弁 财 天), also Benten (弁 天) or Benzai tennyo (弁 财 天 女, literally " sky goddess of eloquence " ) called, is today one of the gods of Shinto and the Seven Lucky Gods ( Shichi Fukujin ). However, it comes from Buddhism. More specifically, it derives from the Indian river goddess Sarasvati ago, venerated both in Buddhism and in Hinduism.

Attributes

How Sarasvati is also Benzaiten with the eloquence, music, art and wisdom together. Furthermore, it is seen as the protector of the geishas, ​​dancers and musicians, and helps sometimes to wealth. Above all, it is related to the element of water in combination. Therefore, most of their shrines on small islands in ponds or on the sea. Through the element of water, it maintains close links with the dragons and snakes, both mythological aquatic animals. On some pictures you can see a small snake on her head or she is riding on a dragon.

Representation

In early Japanese portrayals, she is mostly in Chinese armor depicted with eight arms, various weapons and objects in the style of a Buddhist protector deity. Since it is but counted among the Seven Lucky Gods (since the 16th or 17th century), has her looks " humanized". It usually appears as a lovely, anatomically correct young woman with a Japanese Biwa lute in hand.

Stories

One of the most famous Benzaiten Tell recounts how she a dragon who once devoured many children who tamed by she became his wife. To thank you built it the Enoshima Shrine on Enoshima near Tokyo, one of the most famous Benzaiten shrines. In other Benten shrines, the goddess but is also portrayed as very jealous. Therefore, men and women should not visit these shrines together.