The Holy Trinity
A triptych series showcasing the three essential Hindu goddesses in the modern world
Saraswati, The Creator
Lakshmi, The Preserver
Kali, The Destroyer
The Creator
Saraswati is the goddess of education, creativity, and music. She is portrayed in a modern picnic setting with a classical musical instrument from India, called Sitar.
She is also associated with swans as a symbolism for spiritual perfection, transcendence and enlightenment.
Sometimes a peacock is shown beside the goddess. The peacock symbolizes colorful splendor, the celebration of dance, and – as the devourer of snakes – the alchemical ability to transmute the serpent poison of self into the radiant plumage of enlightenment.
The Preserver
Lakshmi is the goddess of wealth and prosperity. She is prayed to for an abundance of money, of course, while providing more than just physical wealth. She represents good fortune and people who welcome her must keep their home and place of business clean, as she known only to enter a clean premises.
Below, behind, or on the sides, Lakshmi is very often shown with one or two elephants, that symbolize work and strength, as well as water, rain and fertility,
The owl signifies the patient striving to observe, see, and discover knowledge, particularly when surrounded by darkness. As a bird reputedly blinded by daylight, the owl also serves as a symbolic reminder to refrain from blindness and greed after knowledge and wealth have been acquired.
The Destroyer
Kali is the goddess of time and destruction. Like a phoenix she knows when the time is right for destruction to occur and allow new beginnings to take place.
She is feared by the evil and loved by the good. Known for her violence, she can come off as one of the scarier deities, but is also a role model for women as she holds the ultimate power.
Sometimes she dons a skirt made of human arms and a garland of human heads. Other times, she is seen wearing a tiger skin.