Eight Buddhist Protectors of 12 Zodiac Signs
Eight Buddhist Guardian Deities
Buddhism believes that, everyone is born with the blessing of a certain Bodhisattva or Buddha! Each of the 12 zodiac signs has its own Buddhist protector. Through the Heavenly Stems and Earthy Branches, the twelve-linked causal formula and the mutual generation of five elements, namely earth, water, fire, air and wind, Esoteric Buddhism points out that 12 zodiac signs are blessed by eight Bodhisattvas and Buddhas referred as eight natal Buddha or eight Buddhist guardian deities. You should know and show respect to your Deva Guardian. As long as you piously worship your Buddhist protector, you will be blessed to turn ill luck into good, improve your career, wealth, love, study and health, have treasures fill the home, or get promoted in official career. Regardless of the gender and Ben Ming Nian (animal year), you can wear or worship your Buddhist protector all your life!→ Natal Guardian Buddha Necklaces and Bracelets
Following are names of Buddhist Guardian Deities of 12 Zodiac signs.
Names of Natal Guardian Buddha (Bodhisattva) Based on Zodiac Year of Birth
| Zodiac Sign | Buddhist Patron / Guardian | Chinese Name | Year of Birth |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rat | Avalokiteshvara, The Buddha of Compassion | 观音 Guānyīn | 1912, 1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008 |
| Ox | Akasagarbha, The Buddha of Boundless Space | 虚空藏 Xūkōng zàng | 1913, 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009 |
| Tiger | Akasagarbha, The Buddha of Boundless Space | 虚空藏 Xūkōng zàng | 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010 |
| Rabbit | Manjushri, The Buddha of Wisdom | 文殊 Wén shū | 1915, 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011 |
| Dragon | Samantabhadra, The Lord of Truth | 普贤 Pǔxián | 1916, 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012 |
| Snake | Samantabhadra, The Lord of Truth | 普贤 Pǔxián | 1917, 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013 |
| Horse | Mahasthamaprapta, The Buddha of Great Strength | 势至 Shìzhì | 1918, 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014 |
| Sheep | Vairocana, The Great Illuminator | 大日如来 Dàrì Rúlái | 1919, 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003, 2015 |
| Monkey | Vairocana, The Great Illuminator | 大日如来 Dàrì Rúlái | 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004, 2016 |
| Rooster | Acala, The Great Protector | 不动 Bù Dòng | 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005, 2017 |
| Dog | Amitabha, The Buddha of Infinite Light | 阿弥陀佛 Āmítuó Fó | 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006, 2018 |
| Pig | Amitabha, The Buddha of Infinite Light | 阿弥陀佛 Āmítuó Fó | 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007, 2019 |
1. The names of the Buddhas given above are from Tibetan Buddhism, you will find that there are other names and different spelling used in various countries.
2. The Year of Birth in the above table is based on the Gregorian calendar. In fact, your animal sign is determined by the Chinese lunar calendar. If you were born in mid-January to mid-February, you may belong to a different sign. Better click the animal link in the above table to make sure you belong to that animal.
How to work with your Guardian?
A Buddhist protector might be in pendant, decorative item, bracelet, statue, painting or other forms. The most common practice is wearing a bracelet or pendant of Buddhist protector, or hanging a car decoration of Deva Guardian to remove ill fortune and turn calamities into blessings. The statue or painting of Buddhist protector at home is also a convenient way to increase faith and confidence. Remember, it's important to be respectful to the Buddhist protector. If you have it at home, do not place it in your bedroom, kitchen or bathroom, so as to show your respect; living room or study is the best place, so as the hallway. On the Bodhisattva birthday, you may pray and offer incense at home or in a temple. In daily life, you may often chant the title and mantra of your Buddhist protector. As long as you are pious enough, you can pray on any day and at any place.FAQs
Where to buy a Buddhist Guardian ornament?
Chinese Astrology Store sells Buddhist Guardian bracelets and necklaces which are blessed by the eminent Buddhist monks. You can buy one here → Natal Guardian Buddha Necklaces and Bracelets
Who couldn’t wear Buddhist Guardian ornaments?
In general, except the people who are too young or too old, other people could all wear Buddhist Guardian ornaments.
Chinese Astrology Store sells Buddhist Guardian bracelets and necklaces which are blessed by the eminent Buddhist monks. You can buy one here → Natal Guardian Buddha Necklaces and Bracelets
Who couldn’t wear Buddhist Guardian ornaments?
In general, except the people who are too young or too old, other people could all wear Buddhist Guardian ornaments.
Which is the best material of Buddhist Protector?The decorations of Buddhist Protector vary in material while those in Hetian jade, common obsidian and ice obsidian are the most popular. Hetian jade, a kind of nephrite, is comfortable to wear and benefits the storage of energy. Wearing a Buddhist Protector in Hetian jade can bless you a smooth and peaceful life and eliminate the calamities. Since ancient times, obsidian has been the preferred material for protective talisman due to its strong ability to ward off evil spirits and defuse negative energy. Wearing a Buddhist Protector in obsidian can bring you good fortune, drive out evil spirits and bless you a happy family. Ice obsidian is the best as it can make profits pouring in from all sides, turn ill luck into good and bless you no illness.
Is it necessary to buy or wear a Buddhist Protector on an auspicious day?
Buddhism values ''predestined relationship'': everything generates from and dies in predestined relationship. Once you want to buy a Buddhist Protector and you get what you want, it is a predestined relationship with Buddha. Another Buddhist saying goes that, every day is an auspicious day, so it is unnecessary to buy or wear a Buddhist Protector on an auspicious day. As long as you are in an attitude of respect, every moment will be a good time, and this is the so called ''honesty bringing spiritual beings''. Of course, it will be a kind of worship if you do want to choose an auspicious day.
Buddhism values ''predestined relationship'': everything generates from and dies in predestined relationship. Once you want to buy a Buddhist Protector and you get what you want, it is a predestined relationship with Buddha. Another Buddhist saying goes that, every day is an auspicious day, so it is unnecessary to buy or wear a Buddhist Protector on an auspicious day. As long as you are in an attitude of respect, every moment will be a good time, and this is the so called ''honesty bringing spiritual beings''. Of course, it will be a kind of worship if you do want to choose an auspicious day.
Does it work to wear a Buddhist Protector?
Buddhist Protector is a guardian that improves your luck. As long as you wear in a correct way, the effect will be very significant. You should choose your Buddhist Protector as per your zodiac sign and ask for the blessing of an eminent Buddhist monk for better effect.
How to worship my Buddhist Protector?
Keep a joyful heart: the Buddhist Protector comes to you because of predestined relationship, so you should cherish the relationship and be joyful.
Cleaning: wash the Buddhist Protector with flowing clear water twice and dry it with a clean white towel. If it cannot be cleaned with water, just wipe with a clean white towel and the spirituality will not be affected.
Do not allow someone else to touch the statue or image.
Do not put it with the corrosive items.
Worship the Buddhist Protector: worship it every day if possible or choose to worship it on the Buddha or Bodhisattva's day, or on the 1st and 15th day of each lunar month.
Keep a joyful heart: the Buddhist Protector comes to you because of predestined relationship, so you should cherish the relationship and be joyful.
Cleaning: wash the Buddhist Protector with flowing clear water twice and dry it with a clean white towel. If it cannot be cleaned with water, just wipe with a clean white towel and the spirituality will not be affected.
Do not allow someone else to touch the statue or image.
Do not put it with the corrosive items.
Worship the Buddhist Protector: worship it every day if possible or choose to worship it on the Buddha or Bodhisattva's day, or on the 1st and 15th day of each lunar month.
Can I wear the Buddhist Protector while bathing?
While bathing in a public bath or a place with much dirt, you'd better take it down and put it away to show respect. While taking a shower in daily life, however, you don't need to take it down.
Can I replace the string?
Since the string has no impact on the spirituality of the blessed holy item, you can replace it as you wish.
Can the blessed holy item re-blessed?
The answer is yes. If you are lucky to meet an eminent monk, you can ask him to bless the holy item again.
The answer is yes. If you are lucky to meet an eminent monk, you can ask him to bless the holy item again.
What if the holy item is broken or lost?
If the holy item is broken or lost, it means the spiritual Buddhist Protector might have blocked a disaster for you and it is not necessarily a bad thing, so you don't have to worry about it or feel too sad. Buddha and Bodhisattva never blame those careless mistakes and you just need to have another one. Do not throw out the broken holy item into a trash can but pack it with a piece of clean cloth and bury it under a tree or underground. You don't need to take the damaged Buddha statue to a temple.
If the holy item is broken or lost, it means the spiritual Buddhist Protector might have blocked a disaster for you and it is not necessarily a bad thing, so you don't have to worry about it or feel too sad. Buddha and Bodhisattva never blame those careless mistakes and you just need to have another one. Do not throw out the broken holy item into a trash can but pack it with a piece of clean cloth and bury it under a tree or underground. You don't need to take the damaged Buddha statue to a temple.
What if it is inconvenient to wear?
In many cases, it is impractical to wear a Buddhist Protector for various special reasons. Under this condition, you can put it in the original box, or pack it with a piece of clean cloth and put it in a clear place, or take it with you in your bag.
Can I send the Buddhist Protector to someone else?
Sending the Buddhist Protector to someone else is a way to promote Buddha dharma and achieve your merits and virtues, thus beneficial to both someone else and yourself. Therefore, it is fine to do this. However, remember that: the Buddhist Protector must be blessed; you have never worn it before; the Buddhist Protector shall be compatible with the zodiac sign of the one you send.
