Saraswati is the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, learning, and communication.
The name Saraswati comes from “saras,” which means “flow,” and “wati,” which means “she who has …” Together, meaning “she who has flow.” Her name speaks to her origin. There was once a mighty river that was called Saraswati, and she initiated as the goddess of this river. And so, the goddess Saraswati is the river of consciousness that enlivens creation. She is the inventor of language, the sciences and the arts in the Hindu tradition. She also represents higher spiritual knowledge. This goddess has the ability to bring order out of chaos. Saraswati is the wife of the creator, Brahma, and helped him form and finalize his creations. She is also known as a part of the feminine trinity, Tridevi, along with Devi and Lakshmi.
Appearance
| Saraswati Imagery | Symbolism |
| Four Arms | Goddess Saraswati’s four arms symbolize a variety of concepts:
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| Stringed Instrument, or Veena | Goddess Saraswati is also the Goddess of the Arts. The veena, in addition to representing the arts, serves as a reminder to tune one’s heart and mind to live in harmony with others and the world. |
| Book, or Vedas | Represents the Truth or pure knowledge |
| Stringed Beads, or Japa Mala | Represents discipline, concentration, and meditation |
| White Clothing, or Sari | Symbolic of purity |
| Lotus | A white lotus represents purity and knowledge. Lotuses, because they remain untouched by the muddy waters within which they grow, also generally symbolize the need to remain untouched by the negative influences which may surround an individual. |
| Peacock | The peacock represents beauty and dance. Peacocks can also represent vanity and indecision. Thus, its presence is a reminder to curb these two qualities. |
| Swan | The swan represents beauty and also is believed to have the unique ability to separate milk from water with its beak, symbolizing the need for individuals to always discern between right and wrong. |
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