An Explanation of the EIGHT AUSPICIOUS SYMBOLS by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso: The UMBRELLA symbolizes the umbrella of the Buddhist Community and teaches us that first we should enter the Buddhist family. The GOLDEN FISH symbolize harmony indicating that under this umbrella we should always live in harmony and peace. The VASE symbolizes wealth and teaches us that we should enjoy the inner wealth of our faith, moral discipline, our study and practice of Dharma, benefiting others, sense of shame, consideration for others, and wisdom. The LOTUS symbolizes purity which indicates that we should always strive to become a pure being by practicing the Bodhisattva's way of life. The CONCH SHELL symbolizes the Dharma Jewel and teaches us that we should accomplish the Dharma Jewel, the realizations of the stages of path, within our mind. The KNOT OF ETERNITY symbolizes an uncommon quality of Buddha's realizations, namely his realization of omniscient wisdom. The VICTORY BANNER symbolizes an uncommon quality of Buddha's abandonment, his abandonment of the delusions and mistaken appearance. These last two signs together indicate that through gaining the Dharma Jewel, the realizations of the stages of the path to enlightenment, we shall attain two uncommon qualities of Buddha. The DHARMA WHEEL indicates that, having attained these two uncommon qualities of Buddha, we are able to lead all living beings to permanent liberation from suffering, principally by turning the wheel of Dharma, that is by giving Dharma teachings. This is our final goal.