Object of Buddhist cult.

A leaf-shaped, openwork ornament, resembling the halos found in ancient Chinese Buddhist sculpture. It is mounted on a stand resembling a bell or a stylized inverted lotus flower. Against the openwork ornament is a depiction of the "Eight Auspicious Symbols," benevolent emblems that, in the Buddhist tradition, represent offerings made by the Vedic gods to the Enlightened One. The eight symbols are arranged in the following order: the white parasol — the Buddha's teaching, which protects (shelters) every being; the two golden fish — overcoming the ocean of Samsara, freedom from worldly illusion; the lotus — purity; the endless knot — the Buddha's boundless wisdom and compassion; the victory banner — spiritual strength; the white conch shell (spiraling to the right) — the thunderous proclamation of the Dharma by the Buddha; the treasure vase — the elixir of life, the attraction of wealth. At the center of the composition is the "golden wheel of the Law," symbolizing the Buddha's teaching. Above the wheel is a stylized depiction of a bat, and below it, in the lower part, likely a butterfly or artemisia (wormwood) leaves. In Chinese and Tibetan Buddhism, these benevolent symbols represent eight organs of the Buddha's body.