The Goddess Benzaiten

In Japanese Buddhism, the goddess Benzaiten presides over all things that flow, from water and snakes to language and music. She is thus the patron of dancers, musicians, and geishas. Shrines dedicated to Benten are usually located near water.

Benzaiten is the goddess of love and luck, a figure of much popularity and meaning across Japan. A manifestation of the Indian goddess Sarasvati, Benzaiten has adapted across landscapes, locations, and time periods, becoming a chief symbol of the way Japanese culture has combined elements from various religious traditions. She is one of the Seven Lucky Gods.

Most commonly, Benzaiten is associated with luck and wisdom, dispensing wise words and fortune to those she blesses. She is a joyous figure and a muse to artists of all varieties; her blessings are sought by farmers hoping for a bountiful harvest, merchants hoping for good yields, and women hoping for success in love.