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The Four Dignities

These four animals: the Garuda, the Sky Dragon, the Snow Lion, and the Tiger, are seen in the corners of many Tibetan prayer flags.  Known collectively as "The Four Dignities," they represent sacred qualities and attitudes that Bodhisattvas (or Saints) develop on the path to enlightenment, such as: awareness, vast vision, confidence, joy, humility, and power.


 

The Snow Lion





The Snow Lion (Perky) represents unconditional cheerfulness, a mind free of doubt, clear and precise. Of the Four Dignities the Snow Lion abides in the East.

It has a beauty and dignity resulting from a body and mind that are synchronized. The Snow Lion has a youthful, vibrant energy of goodness and a natural sense of delight.










The Tiger





The Tiger
(Meek) is one of the Four Dignities, symbols of those qualities we develop on the sacred path of the warrior.

Abiding in the Southern direction, the Tiger symbolizes unconditional confidence, disciplined awareness, kindness and modesty. It is relaxed yet energized; resting in a gentle state of being that has a natural sense of satisfaction and fulfillment.







The Garuda




The Garuda (Outrageous) is daring and fearless.

One of the Four Dignities, the Garuda abides in the northern direction. Possessing great strength and power it soars beyond the beyond - no holding back. It symbolizes freedom from hopes and fears, the vast mind without reference point.









The Sky Dragon





The Sky Dragon (Inscrutable) enjoys resting in the sky among the clouds and wind.

One of the Four Dignities it abides in the western direction. The vision of the dragon is to create an environment of fearlessness, warmth and genuineness. It is energetic, powerful and unwavering yet gentle and playful. The Sky Dragon represents generosity, spontaneous achievement, elegance, and equanimity.




These are all mythological beings are are REPRESENTATIONAL ONLY of certain qualities. You will never find a Snow Lion or a "meek" Tiger, a Garuda bird or a Sky Dragon, so why has the west associated the Lhasa Apsos with the Snow Lion and further, persisted in the belief that these dogs are actually represented in religious paintings, holding up the Buddha's throne and on the Tibetan Flag?




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