China: Cave painting of Vaisharavana (Vaisravana) riding across the waves, mid-10th century CE, Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu. British Museum, London

China: Cave painting of Vaisharavana (Vaisravana) riding across the waves, mid-10th century CE, Mogao Caves, Dunhuang, Gansu. British Museum, London

Vaisravana, sometimes spelt as Vaishravana or Visravana, is a Buddhist god and 'chief' of the Four Heavenly Kings, four deities who each protect one of the world's cardinal directions. Vaisravana is guardian of the north, and is derived from the Hindu deity Kubera. He makes his home on the lower half of the sacred Mount Meru, where he lords over all of yaksha (guardian spirits) who dwell there.

. Vaisravana is the ruler of rain, and thus is symbolically armed with an umbrella or a pagoda, while wearing heavy armour. The colours most associated with him are yellow or green, which is why he is often portrayed with a yellow face. Vaisravana is sometimes also portrayed with a mongoose ejecting jewels from its mouth, representing its generosity and antithesis to the snake, a common symbol of greed and hatred.

. In Theravada Buddhism, he is known as Vessavana, one of the Four Guardian Kings, while he is known as Bishamonten or just Bishamon - sometimes called Tamonten - in Japan, where he is portrayed as an armour-clad god of war and righteousness, as well as being one of the Seven Lucky Gods.

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