Twenty-One Tara: The Manifestations of Tara’s Swift Compassionate Protection

In Tibetan Buddhism, the 21 Taras are a group of manifestations of the goddess Tara, each with their own set of attributes and qualities. They are thought to have the ability to protect and assist practitioners in a variety of ways, including removing obstacles, healing illnesses, and granting long life and prosperity.Each Tara is represented by a different color, and each color is associated with different qualities or actions. Green Tara, for example, is associated with protection and compassion, while White Tara is associated with longevity and healing and Red Tara with power and magnetism.The 21 Taras practice is widely used in Tibetan Buddhism to seek protection, healing, and guidance from the goddess Tara. It is frequently accompanied by visualizations and mantra recitations, with each mantra corresponding to a different Tara and her qualities.Each of the 21 Taras is described briefly below:Green Tara (Sitatara): associated with protection and compassion, she is frequently depicted with one leg outstretched to demonstrate her willingness to assist those in need.White Tara (Sitatapatra): associated with longevity and healing, she is frequently depicted with seven eyes to represent her ability to see and respond to all beings' suffering.Red Tara (Kurukulla): associated with power and magnetism, she is frequently depicted holding a bow and arrow, her left hand in the three jewels mudra (Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha).Black Tara (Ugra Tara): often depicted with a wrathful expression and a skull crown, she is associated with power and protection.Yellow Tara (Bhrikuti): She is often depicted holding a vase of jewels and is associated with wealth and prosperity.