The Buddhist deity Tara (not to be confused with the Hindu goddess of the same name) is one of the more popular Buddhist figures. She has up to 21 different forms, each with their own colors, personalities, and specialties.
Some forms of Tārā include:
White Tārā, (Sitatārā) with two arms seated on a white lotus and with eyes on her hand and feet, as well as a third eye on her forehead (thus she is also known as “Seven eyed”). She is known for compassion, long life, healing and serenity. Also known as The Wish-fulfilling Wheel, or Cintachakra.
Pravīratārā, “Tārā Swift and Heroic”, a Red colored form with eight arms holding bell and vajra, bow and arrow, wheel, conch, sword and noose.
Kurukullā (Rikchema) of red color and fierce aspect associated with magnetizing all good things.
Black Tārā (Ugra Tārā), associated with power.
Various forms of Yellow or Golden colored Tārās, sometimes associated with wealth and prosperity including “Yellow Cintamani Tārā” (“Wish-Granting Gem Tara”) holding a wish granting jewel, eight armed “Vajra Tārā” and golden “Rajasri Tārā” holding a blue lotus.
Blue Tārā (Ekajati), wrathful with many heads and arms, associated with transmutation of anger.
Cintāmaṇi Tārā, a form of Tārā widely practiced at the level of Highest Yoga Tantra in the Gelug School of Tibetan Buddhism, portrayed as green and often conflated with Green Tārā.
Sarasvati (Yangchenma), known for the arts, knowledge and wisdom.
Bhṛkuṭītārā (Tronyer Chendze), “Tārā with a Frown”, known for protection from spirits.
Uṣṇīṣavijaya Tārā, White Tārā named “Victorious Uṣṇīṣa” with three faces and twelve arms, associated with long life.
Golden Prasanna Tārā - wrathful form, with a necklace of bloody heads and sixteen arms holding an array of weapons and Tantric attributes.
Yeshe Tsogyal (“Wisdom Lake Queen”), the consort of Padmasambhava who brought Buddhism to Tibet, was known as an emanation of Tārā.
Rigjay Lhamo, “Goddess Who Brings Forth Awareness,” seated in royal posture surrounded by rainbow light.
Sitatapatra Tārā, protector against supernatural danger.
Of her many forms, the Green and White Tara are usually the most well-known.
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