Source: – Subhash kak / Twitter.
The Chinese and Japanese 12-year Zodiacs have Sanskrit seed syllables that are written in the Siddham script (forerunner of Devanagari). 1/2 pic.twitter.com/o37IeC0rjn
— Subhash Kak (@subhashkak1) April 25, 2017
Deities of Years:
अवलोकितेश्वर, Avalokiteśvara – Rat
आकाशगर्भ, Ākāśagarbha — Ox & Tiger
मञ्जुश्री, Mañjuśrī – Rabbit
समन्तभद्र, S. – Dragon & Snake
महास्थमप्राप्त, M. — Horse
महावैरोचन, M. – Sheep & Monkey
अचलनाथ, Acalanātha – Rooster
अमिताभ, Amitābha – Dog & Boar
— Subhash Kak (@subhashkak1) May 6, 2018
Those born under different zodiac signs are taken to be protected by eight different deities who also preside over the years.
For the story of a temple where these deities are depicted, see: https://t.co/jCttMxqeHc
— Subhash Kak (@subhashkak1) May 6, 2018
Sarasvatī (सरस्वती) personifies the heart of Indian culture — knowledge, flow and grace. She is very popular in Japan as Benzaiten (弁才天, 弁財天).
Benzaiten in Enoshima shrine in Japan. See the masterly depiction of the Vina (Biwa) as elephant and the other animals. pic.twitter.com/hAHW6pkLp4
— Subhash Kak (@subhashkak1) May 8, 2018
