Jain Tirthankara Emblems: How to Recognise the Twenty-Four Jinas

Jainism reveres twenty-four Tirthankaras, "ford-makers" who crossed the river of rebirth and showed others the way. In art they look almost identical: each is shown in deep meditation, either standing upright in the kāyotsarga posture or seated in the lotus position. What tells them apart is a small emblem, the lāñchana, usually carved on the pedestal or throne beneath the figure.

Why the Jinas need emblems

A Tirthankara, also called a Jina, "victor", has conquered the passions that bind the soul, and images show that perfected state rather than individual personality. As Jainpedia explains, the emblem, often small and placed on the pedestal, the cloth beneath the figure or a corner of the throne, is the key to identifying which Jina an image represents. Colours, attendant deities and the trees under which each Jina attained enlightenment can also help.

Two traditions

Jainism's two main traditions, the Śvetāmbara and the Digambara, depict the Jinas differently. Śvetāmbara images may show the Jina as a spiritual king, adorned and enthroned; Digambara images are always naked and unadorned. The emblems are almost all shared, but a few differ.

The twenty-four emblems

| # | Tirthankara | Emblem (Śvetāmbara) | Digambara variant | |---|---|---|---| | 1 | Rishabhanatha (Adinatha) | bull | same | | 2 | Ajitanatha | elephant | same | | 3 | Sambhavanatha | horse | same | | 4 | Abhinandananatha | monkey | same | | 5 | Sumatinatha | crane (krauñca) | crane or koka bird | | 6 | Padmaprabha | red lotus | same | | 7 | Suparshvanatha | svastika | nandyāvarta or svastika | | 8 | Chandraprabha | crescent moon | same | | 9 | Pushpadanta (Suvidhinatha) | crocodile (makara) | crocodile or crab | | 10 | Shitalanatha | śrīvatsa | svastika or wish-fulfilling tree | | 11 | Shreyansanatha | rhinoceros | same | | 12 | Vasupujya | buffalo | same | | 13 | Vimalanatha | boar | same | | 14 | Anantanatha | falcon | bear | | 15 | Dharmanatha | thunderbolt (vajra) | same | | 16 | Shantinatha | deer | same | | 17 | Kunthunatha | goat | same | | 18 | Aranatha | nandyāvarta | fish | | 19 | Mallinatha | water jar (kalaśa) | same | | 20 | Munisuvrata | tortoise | same | | 21 | Naminatha | blue lotus | same | | 22 | Neminatha | conch | same | | 23 | Parshvanatha | serpent | same | | 24 | Mahavira | lion | same |

Explore the emblem stories

• Padmaprabha, sixth: the red lotus
• Shreyansanatha, eleventh: the rhinoceros
• Vasupujya, twelfth: the buffalo
• Vimalanatha, thirteenth: the boar
• Shantinatha, sixteenth: the deer
• Munisuvrata, twentieth: the tortoise
• The Siddhachakra, the diagram of the nine revered states of Jain devotion

Emblems in jewellery

An emblem identifies a revered teacher; it is not an amulet. A Tirthankara design is best worn as a sign of respect for that teacher and for the Jain path of non-violence and self-discipline. AURYN's Jain designs can be found in the charms collection.