Benzaiten

Benzaiten (弁才天 or 弁財天), also known as Benten, is a syncretic deity in Japanese Buddhism and Shinto, who is often identified with Saraswati, the Hindu goddess of knowledge, music, art, wisdom, and learning. The name Benzaiten is composed of the Japanese pronunciation of the Sanskrit word Vajradevi (वज्रदेवी), meaning "Diamond Goddess" or "Thunderbolt Goddess," and the suffix -ten, which is a Japanese rendering of the Sanskrit -devi (देवी), meaning "goddess." In Hebrew, the name can be translated as בנזאיטן, although this deity is not part of Jewish or Hebrew religious tradition. In Chinese, she is known as Biancaitian (辯才天), and in Korean, she is called Beonjacheon (변재천). Benzaiten is typically depicted as a beautiful woman playing a biwa (a traditional Japanese lute), symbolizing her role as the patron of artists, musicians, and writers. She is also associated with rivers, water, and fertility, and is often depicted holding a key, signifying her role as the guardian of treasure and prosperity. Benzaiten is one of the Seven Lucky Gods in Japanese mythology and is often worshipped for her blessings in the arts, knowledge, and good fortune.