Story behind 24 tirthankar symbols

Here is the concise idea behind the 24 Tirthankar symbols (lanchhana) and the list of each Tirthankar with their traditional emblem.

What the symbols mean and why

• Each Tirthankar is associated with a single emblem to help devotees recognize them in temples and scriptures.
• The symbol embodies key virtues, roles, or life-story elements connected with that Tirthankar.
• There can be small differences between Digambar and Shwetambar traditions on some symbols, but the overall idea remains the same: the emblem is a spiritual sign to identify the Tirthankar and remind followers of his teaching.

Note on sources

• For a compact list of the 24 Tirthankaras with their symbols, you can read a dedicated page that presents the traditional pairings and notes possible variant readings.

The 24 Tirthankaras and their symbols 1) Rishabhanatha (Adinath) — Bull 2) Ajitanatha — Elephant 3) Sambhavanatha — Horse 4) Abhinandananatha — Monkey 5) Sumatinatha — Curlew (a type of wading bird) 6) Padmaprabha — Lotus 7) Suparshvanatha — Swastika 8) Chandraprabha — Moon 9) Pushpadanta (Suvidhinatha) — Crocodile 10) Shitalanatha — Kalpavriksha (wish-fulfilling tree) 11) Shreyamsanatha — Rhinoceros 12) Vasupujya — Buffalo 13) Vimalanatha — Boar 14) Anantanatha — Porcupine (often also read with a falcon in some traditions) 15) Dharmanatha — Vajra (Thunderbolt) 16) Shantinatha — Deer 17) Kunthunatha — Goat 18) Aranatha — Fish 19) Mallinatha — Kalasha (the sacred pot) 20) Munisuvranatha — Tortoise 21) Naminatha — Blue Lotus 22) Neminatha — Conch (Shankha) 23) Parshvanatha — Serpent 24) Mahavira — Lion

If you’d like, I can also summarize how each emblem reflects its Tirthankar’s teachings or life events in simple terms.