Lakshmi

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Hindu goddess of wealth, beauty, and good fortune, consort of Vishnu, and mother of the world; her festival is Diwali.

In temples Lakshmi is usually worshipped as the consort of Vishnu, where together they represent marital harmony, but many Hindus have an image of her at home. She is especially worshipped at Diwali when people hope to bring prosperity to their homes and businesses for the coming year. She is also worshipped as mother of the world.

Lakshmi has four arms and is depicted sitting on a lotus flower; her two upper hands hold lotuses as symbols of purity, and her two lower hands drop gold coins, symbolizing prosperity. Her lower hands may also be in the ‘boon-giving’ mudra (hand gesture). She may have elephants to either side showing her royalty.

Lakshmi may be incarnated as Rukmini, if Vishnu is Krishna; or Sita, if Vishnu is Rama.

The bison's head, star, rose, and crescent are traditional symbols of Moldavia. The colours are based on the Romanian flag. Effective date: 3 November 1990. >>