Fig. 4 The lotus held in the left hand of this image of Manjushri, the Bodhisattva of Wisdom, has a book and sword resting atop it. These are Manjushri's traditional attributes, the objects that symbolize his character. The book represents Manjushri's role as the embodiment of transcendent wisdom, and the sword is the weapon he uses to cut through ignorance. His right hand, which performs the gift-giving gesture (varada mudra), identifies this form of Manjushri as Sita Manjughosa ("White Gift-Bestowing"). The four lions supporting the pedestal, although a standard element in Buddhist thrones, also represent the vehicle (vahana) associated with Manjushri. The pendant half-moon-shaped form on the front of the pedestal represents draped cloth.